By: Erik Madaus
Before we begin the annual year in review episode, I wanted to give you a quick update on some launches that happened during our break. (Because everything launches the moment we go on break!)

There were a total of nine launch attempts from six countries.  China was responsible for nearly half of the end-of-year launches, sending off four rockets, a Long March 7A, 4C,2D, and 3B in 3 days. The other five launches originated from Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and French Guiana, with one launch each.

Iran launched another Simorgh rocket with three satellites. It almost made it into orbit, reaching a velocity of 7,350m/s.

From Japan, a H-IIA launched the commercial Inmarsat 6 satellite, marking their third launch of the year.

A Soyuz 2.1b Fregat put another batch of 36 OneWeb satellites into orbit from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Russia launched the third test flight of the Angara A5. The Persei upper stage, which is a special variant of the Block D upper stage for Angara, rocket failed to restart, stranding the dummy payload in low Earth orbit, nowhere near the Geostationary graveyard orbit it was intended to go to. It is expected to reenter the atmosphere sometime later today, January 5th.

From French Guiana, an Ariane 5 launched on Christmas Day, finally putting the JWST into space. After 15 years of planning, development, and delays, it’s finally begun its one month journey to Lagrange Point 2. (More on that later!).