As we approach the end of 2025, the global space sector is finishing the year with high intensity. December is packed with critical missions ranging from routine Starlink deployments by SpaceX to significant international demonstration flights from China and next-generation navigation satellites from Europe and Japan.
This month highlights the diversity of the modern space race. We see established giants like SpaceX and ULA sharing the calendar with agile private companies like Rocket Lab and LandSpace, alongside national agencies from China, Japan, India, and Russia.
Below is the comprehensive launch calendar for December 2025.
Launch Calendar: December 2025
Note: All dates and times are listed in GMT+3 as provided. Launch schedules are subject to change due to weather and technical checks.
| Date (GMT+3) | Time | Mission / Payload | Vehicle | Provider | Launch Site |
| Tue, Dec 2 | 23:16 | Starlink Group 6-95 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | SpaceX | Cape Canaveral, USA |
| Wed, Dec 3 | 07:00 | Demo Flight | Zhuque-3 | LandSpace | Jiuquan, China |
| Thu, Dec 4 | 21:12 | Starlink Group 11-25 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | SpaceX | Vandenberg, USA |
| Sat, Dec 6 | 07:00 | Unknown Payload | Hyperbola-1 | i-Space | Jiuquan, China |
| Sat, Dec 6 | 10:50 | Unknown Payload | Long March 8A | CASC | Wenchang, China |
| Sun, Dec 7 | 05:30 | Michibiki 5 (QZS-5) | H3-22 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind. | Tanegashima, Japan |
| Sun, Dec 7 | 06:00 | Rise and Shine (RISE-4) | Electron | Rocket Lab | Mahia, New Zealand |
| Sun, Dec 7 | 19:13 | Starlink Group 11-15 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | SpaceX | Vandenberg, USA |
| Mon, Dec 8 | 00:40 | Starlink Group 6-92 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | SpaceX | Kennedy Space Center, USA |
| Mon, Dec 8 | TBD | STP-S30 | Electron | Rocket Lab | Wallops, USA |
| Tue, Dec 9 | 22:16 | NROL-77 (Classified) | Falcon 9 Block 5 | SpaceX | Cape Canaveral, USA |
| Wed, Dec 10 | 11:54 | Starlink Group 15-11 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | SpaceX | Vandenberg, USA |
| Mon, Dec 15 | 09:10 | BlueBird Block 2 #1 | LVM-3 | ISRO | Satish Dhawan, India |
| Mon, Dec 15 | 11:35 | Amazon Leo (Kuiper) | Atlas V 551 | ULA | Cape Canaveral, USA |
| Mon, Dec 15 | 14:52 | Elektro-L No.5 | Proton-M | Roscosmos | Baikonur, Kazakhstan |
| Wed, Dec 17 | TBD | To Space (Demo) | HANBIT-Nano | Innospace | Alcântara, Brazil |
| Wed, Dec 17 | 08:01 | Galileo L14 (FOC) | Ariane 62 | Arianespace | Kourou, French Guiana |
| Sat, Dec 20 | TBD | Demo Flight | Soyuz-5 | RKK Energia | Baikonur, Kazakhstan |
| TBD | TBD | Progress MS-33 (Cargo) | Soyuz 2.1a | Roscosmos | Baikonur, Kazakhstan |
Key Missions to Watch
1. The Reusable Race in China: Zhuque-3
On December 3, the Chinese private company LandSpace attempts a demonstration flight of the Zhuque-3. This is a critical step for the Chinese commercial space sector as they aim to develop reusable stainless-steel methane rockets, similar in concept to SpaceX’s Starship, though smaller.
2. Japan’s Navigation Boost: H3-22
On December 7, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will launch the H3-22 rocket carrying the Michibiki 5 (QZS-5) satellite. This system is crucial for Japan, serving as a regional augmentation system for GPS, ensuring high-precision positioning for the country.
3. Europe’s Independence: Ariane 62
On December 17, Arianespace is scheduled to launch the Galileo L14 satellites aboard the new Ariane 62. After a long development period, the operational success of Ariane 6 is vital for Europe’s independent access to space and the maintenance of the Galileo navigation constellation.
4. India & Commercial Space: LVM-3
On December 15, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the BlueBird Block 2 satellite for AST SpaceMobile. This highlights India’s growing role as a commercial launch provider for heavy payloads using their LVM-3 rocket.
5. SpaceX’s Marathon
As usual, SpaceX dominates the volume of launches. Beyond the multiple Starlink missions to build out their mega-constellation, they are tasked with a national security mission (NROL-77) on December 9, showcasing the reliability of the Falcon 9 fleet.
Looking Ahead
December 2025 serves as a fitting finale to a year of rapid expansion in low earth orbit infrastructure. From Amazon’s Project Kuiper (via ULA) competing with Starlink, to new players like Innospace launching from Brazil, the space economy is becoming truly global.
Stay tuned to Metaverse Planet for updates on these launches and confirmed times as we get closer to liftoff.
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