Florida’s Space Coast concluded 2024 with a record-breaking 93 launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, surpassing the 74 launches in 2023.
Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, commander of the Eastern Range and Space Delta 45, attributed the increased launch rate to innovations by Space Launch Delta 45 and the private sector. “We’ve been able to reach these crazy numbers by leveraging automation, modernizing infrastructure, and streamlining processes,” Panzenhagen told SpaceNews.
Space Launch Delta 45, located at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, manages space launch operations on the East Coast.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched 88 of the 93 missions from the Eastern Range in 2024, with United Launch Alliance (ULA) conducting five.
SpaceX achieved an unprecedented launch tempo in 2024, executing 134 commercial and government missions—62 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, 26 from Kennedy Space Center, and 46 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Four Starship test flights also took place from its Texas facility.
To manage the increased activity, Space Launch Delta 45 implemented new procedures to shorten turnaround times between launches, Panzenhagen noted. SpaceX’s automated flight safety technologies played a crucial role, reducing personnel and pre-launch preparation time.
The Space Force’s Space Systems Command launched the “One Falcon” initiative to handle SpaceX’s rapid launch cadence. This program unites personnel across the Eastern and Western Ranges, enabling support for launches from either coast. “This cross-training effort enables us to surge resources where needed and fully utilize the talent on that team,” Panzenhagen said.
While only four of the 93 Eastern Range launches in 2024 were national security space launches, the high volume of commercial launches offers indirect benefits for military operations.
Panzenhagen stated that commercial space innovations—from infrastructure investments to rapid response capabilities—improve resilience and responsiveness for national security missions. The “Rapid Response Trailblazer” RRT-1 mission, where SpaceX launched a GPS satellite on a compressed timeline, exemplifies this synergy.
Despite SpaceX’s dominance, the Space Coast anticipates increased competition in the national security launch sector. Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is preparing to launch its New Glenn rocket in early 2025. Blue Origin became a national security space launch provider in 2024 and needs a successful inaugural flight to compete for contracts. “Anytime we can get a new company and a new rocket design into the mix, it improves our resiliency,” Panzenhagen said.
ULA’s Vulcan Centaur awaits certification for national security missions. After two flights in 2024, one encountered a booster anomaly. Panzenhagen highlighted the collaboration between the Space Force and ULA, stating, “We’re working with them through the engineering process and look forward to seeing Vulcan fly.”
Designed to replace the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 vehicles, the Vulcan Centaur is key to the Space Force’s strategy of maintaining multiple launch options.