Figure 1
The vertical axis shows labeled values “0”, “2”, “4”, “6”, “8”, “10”, “12”, “14”, “16”, “18”, and “20”. The horizontal axis includes years labeled from “1958” through “2024” in increments of 2 years. Two lines are shown on the graph. The first line rises from approximately 7 in 1958 to about 10 in 1959, drops to near 0 around 1961, then increases sharply to a peak near 18 around 1966. It fluctuates between approximately 10 and 14 through the late 1960s, declines to around 4 by 1973, and reaches 0 by 1975. From 1975 through the late 1990s, values remain at or near 0 with occasional small spikes near 1 to 2. After 2005, values increase intermittently between approximately 1 and 6, with peaks near 6 around 2013 and again near 2022, ending near approximately 5 in 2024. The second line begins near approximately 7 in 1958, declines to near 0 by 1963, rises to around 10 in 1966, and then declines steadily to near 0 by 1975. It remains near 0 through the 1980s and 1990s. After 2005, it shows small increases between approximately 1 and 4, with occasional peaks near 3 to 4, ending near approximately 3 in 2024. Note: All numerical data values are approximated.Total Lunar launches per year (the solid line) compared to successful or partially successful Lunar launches per year (the dashed line; data from NASA, 2025)