2024 and Beyond: Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral Launch Schedule
By James | Last updated May 10, 2024
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This page lists the complete Kennedy Space Center (KSC) rocket launch schedule and the Cape Canaveral rocket launch schedule for 2024 and beyond. This page aims to showcase the space flights happening in Florida, which mainly include SpaceX launches for the majority of launches surrounding the expansion of their space program.
Click here for the complete rocket launch manifest for 2023.
Kennedy Space Center Launch Sites
The rocket launch facility on Florida’s East Coast comprises two launch sites: the civilian NASA Kennedy Space Center and the military Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which include the “Eastern Range.”
The 45th Space Wing oversees this and looks after nearby Patrick’s Space Force Base. Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is the headquarters of the “Western Range.”
Before you continue, book with our excellent partner at getyourguide.com. They have the best tickets and tours around Florida at unbeatable prices.
Kennedy Space Center Tickets and Tours
Head over to our tickets site to save money on advance tickets to the Kennedy Space Center. We have some of the best discounts available today. Beat the gate prices and reduce your holiday costs.
Upcoming Florida Rocket Launches for 2024
Note that all launch dates are provisional and are subject to change; you should always check with the Kennedy Space Center before making a memorable trip.
Below is a complete list of planned rocket launches from the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station from 2024 onwards, where you can watch a rocket launch.
All times are local times.
Abbreviations:
- EDT — Eastern Daylight Time
- EST — Eastern Standard Time (during the winter months)
- NET — “No earlier than”
- TBA — To be announced
TOP 5 Florida Tours
If you are looking for something different from your Florida Holiday, these are some of our favorite tours:
- Kennedy Space Center – Lots to see and explore here, including full-day tours, astronaut experiences, and your general entry tickets
- Everglades Boat Tours – Experience a different side of Florida with the hovercraft and boat tours around the Everglades
- Pirates Adventure Dinner Show – This is an action-packed adventure show that is great fun for all the family
- Key West Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling – This unique tour is excellent if you love dolphin watching and or snorkeling (optional)
- Orlando: Drive-Thru Safari Park – Break away from the Theme Parks in Orlando and meet the animals in the comfort of your car
January 18, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Axiom Space-3 (AX-3)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on behalf of Axiom Space on its third mission and will fly four space tourists to the International Space Station (ISS) for around eight days.
The crew is expected to consist of:
- Michael Lopez-Alegria, Spain/USA astronaut, working for Axiom — commander
- Walter Villadei, Italy Ministry of Defence — pilot
- Alper Gezeravci, Turkey TSA — mission specialist
- Marcus Wandt, Sweden SNSA/ESA — mission specialist
The launch is from launch pad LC-39A.
Successfully launched on January 18, 2024.
January 30, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, NG-20
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 21st Cygnus cargo spacecraft. The purpose of the mission is to take a resupply cargo load to the International Space Station on behalf of Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman cannot launch on their own Antares 230 rocket due to the lack of engines and boosters from Russia.
Delayed from October 2023. Launched January 30.
February 8, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, PACE
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite for a NASA earth science mission.
An Ocean Color Imager will study phytoplankton in the ocean, while two polarimeters will study the properties of clouds, aerosols, and the ocean.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-40. SpaceX Falcon PACE was successfully launched on February 8.
February 15, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, IM-1/Nova-C
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the first Nova-C lunar lander for Intuitive Machines. Intuitive Machines hopes to be the first commercial company to successfully land a lunar lander on the moon’s surface as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract.
The NASA payload consists of five science instruments: a retroreflector, a navigation Doppler lidar, radio wave observation sensors, stereo cameras, and a navigation demo payload.
The lander will attempt to deliver the payloads to Malapert A crater in the Ocean of Storms region near the moon’s south pole.
The launch is from launch pad LC-39A.
Delayed from quarter three to December 2022. Postponed from January, March, and June 2023. Further Delayed from November 2023
Successfully launched on February 15, 2024.
February 25 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 6-39
The reliable Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink internet satellites, expanding SpaceX’s project to provide global high-speed internet coverage from the Earth’st’a orbit.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-40. It was successfully launched on February 25, 2024.
February 29, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 6-40
Following up on the Starlink Group 6-39 launch planned prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-40. After being moved forward one day, it was successfully launched on February 29, 2024.
March 3, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, USCV-8 (NASA Crew Flight 8)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The purpose of the mission is to take the 8th crew flight for NASA to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A. Due to high winds, it was delayed from March 22 and postponed from March 2. The lift-off was successful on March 3 after the launch time was moved several times.
March 4, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, MethaneSat
It was successfully launched on March 4.
March 10, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 6-43
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-40. Successful lift-off on March 10, 2024.
March 16, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 6-44
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A. Successful lift-off on March 16, 2024
March 21, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, CRS 30 (aka. SPX-30)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 32nd Dragon spacecraft. The purpose of the mission is to take the 30th resupply cargo load to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A. CRS 30 was successful in lift-off on March 21, 2024.
March 24, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 6-42
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A. After a delay from March 22, Starlink Group 6-42 had a successful lift-off on March 24.
April 9, 2024 – United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy, NROL-70
The Delta IV Heavy rocket will launch a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.
This is likely to be the last ever Delta IV rocket launch.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-37B. The launch was moved from March 28 due to technical issues. The launch was held on April 9 and launched successfully.
April 13, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 6-49
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-40. The launch was successful on April 13.
April 17, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 6-51
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A. The launch was successful on April 17.
April 18, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 6-52
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A or SLC-40. The launch was successful on April 18.
NET May 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 7-28
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A or SLC-40.
NET May 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 7-29
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A or SLC-40.
NET May 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 8-4
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A or SLC-40.
NET May 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 8-5
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A or SLC-40.
NET May 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 7-30
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A or SLC-40.
NET May 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 7-25
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A or SLC-40.
NET May 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink Group 7-26
Following up on the Starlink Group launches prior, this launch seeks to expand the Starlink internet satellites range. The Falcon 9 will take this batch of internet satellites to the low Earth orbit to further improve their internet coverage.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39A or SLC-40.
NET May 2024 – United Launch Alliance Atlas V, CST-100 Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT)
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the first crewed test flight of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner to the International Space Station, carrying two NASA astronauts (initially three). This follows two uncrewed test flights, OFT-1 and OFT-2.
It was initially going to be a short mission of a couple of weeks, but due to the delays in the Starliner program, it was extended to a two to four-month mission but has now been cut back to an eight-day mission.
At the end of the mission, the spacecraft will land at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
This will be the first time an Atlas V rocket has launched with astronauts on board.
The crew will consist of two NASA astronauts:
- Barry “Butch” Wilmore — Commander
- Sunita “Suni” Williams – Pilot
This mission has seen several crew changes in the run-up to launch.
The original commander was Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson, but he stepped down for personal reasons, and Eric Boe, who was to be the pilot, stepped down on medical grounds.
A former U.S. Marine Corps test pilot, Nicole Mann, was initially assigned to this mission but switched to the SpaceX Crew 5 mission.
Sunita Williams was also originally going to be the pilot on the first crew mission but has been moved up to the CFT.
Michael Fincke, also assigned, is now a backup spacecraft test pilot/commander.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
It was delayed from August 2019 to Quarter 1, 2020. Then, it was further delayed from mid-2020, following the decision to re-fly the Orbital Test Flight (OFT-2). It was delayed from early 2021, June 2021, and Quarter 4, 2021, then postponed from December 8, 2022, and further delayed from February and April 2023.
It was delayed from July 21 following technical issues with the spacecraft wiring and parachute system.
June 2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser CRS-1 (SNC Demo-1)
The Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch the first Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser, an uncrewed, fully autonomous, reusable mini space shuttle on a mission to the International Space Station. Dream Chaser can land on a runway after re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere like the space shuttles before it.
In August 2020, the prototype was given the name “Tenacity”.
The Dream Chaser can carry around 2,000 lbs (900 kgs) of cargo and can be fitted with a cargo module called “Shooting Star” with a capacity of 10,000 lbs (4,500 kgs). Unlike the main spacecraft, the cargo module cannot be returned to Earth; it is designed to burn up in the atmosphere on re-entry.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
The launch schedule was delayed from mid and late 2022 to August and December 2023.
June 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, NROL 69
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office as part of the National Security Space Launch Phase 2.
Launch moved from October 2023
June 25, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, GOES-U
A SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket will launch the last Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GOES-R series into geostationary orbit.
GOES-R is a joint venture between NASA and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The satellites are designed to monitor weather, oceans, the environment, lightning, solar activity, and weather in space.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
NET June 2024 – United Launch Alliance Atlas V, USSF-51
A United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch a classified payload for the U.S. Space Force as part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract.
The payload was initially planned for a Vulcan Centaur launch but has been switched to an Atlas V due to delays in the new Vulcan program.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
June 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, IM-2/PRIME-1
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the second Nova-C lunar lander for Intuitive Machines as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract. The lander will land on the moon’s southern polar region.
The Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1) is a secondary payload to search for water below the polar ice cap.
The launch is from launch pad LC-39A.
##2023 – Terran 1, Cryogenic Demonstration Mission
Relativity Space Rocket will launch its next 3D-printed rocket, the Terran 1.
The launch will be from Launchpad SLC-16.
June 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, IM-3
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the third Nova-C lunar lander for Intuitive Machines. Unlike the two previous missions, IM-3 is not part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract.
June 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, O3b mPOWER 10 and 11
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 4th group of two O3b mPOWER communications satellites for SES, Luxembourg.
June 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Türksat 6A
Mid 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Polaris Dawn
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on an up to five-day flight.
The mission goals include an attempt to reach the highest Earth orbit ever achieved by a crewed spacecraft, the first commercial space walk, testing the Starlink laser-based communications, various human health experiments like space sickness and radiation, and demonstrating new innovative technologies.
The current Earth orbit record is Gemini 11, which reached an altitude of 853 miles in 1966. For comparison, the International Space Station orbits at around 250 miles.
The crew consists of:
- Jared Isaacman – Commander
- Scott “Kidd” Poteet – Spacecraft Pilot (retired U.S. Air Force)
- Sarah Gillis – Mission Specialist (SpaceX astronaut training program)
- Anna Menon – Mission Specialist (SpaceX mission director)
At around 310 miles, two crew members will exit the Crew Dragon spacecraft on tethers wearing SpaceX-designed extravehicular activity (EVA) pressurized spacesuits. As the Dragon craft does not have an airlock, all crew members must wear EVA spacesuits. This would be the first time anyone exited a Dragon spacecraft in flight.
Jared Isaacman is the billionaire owner of Shift4 Payments, who bankrolled the Inspiration4 mission in 2021. He is planning three Polaris missions, two flying on a Falcon 9 and the third on the first manned SpaceX Starship flight.
Like the Inspiration4 flight, the Polaris program will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which received $243 million.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
Delayed from November 2022, December 2022, March 2023. Delayed from early 2024.
August 2024 – United Launch Alliance Atlas V, CST-100 Starliner Mission 1
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the 1st operational mission of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner to the International Space Station carrying four NASA astronauts on a six-month mission. This mission will fly using the identical spacecraft as the first orbital test flight.
The crew will consist of:
- Scott Tingle (NASA) — Commander
- Mike Fincke — Pilot
- Jeanette Epps (NASA) — Mission Specialist 1
- TBA — Mission Specialist 2
Josh Cassada was initially assigned to this mission but switched to the SpaceX Crew 5 mission.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
Launch schedule delayed from March 2023.
Mid/Late 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Axiom Space-4 (AX-4)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on behalf of Axiom Space on its fourth mission and will fly four space tourists to the International Space Station (ISS) for around eight days.
The launch is from launch pad LC-39A.
H2 2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, USSF-112
The Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch a military satellite for the U.S. Space Force as part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
September 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, USCV-9 (NASA Crew Flight 9)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The purpose of the mission is to take the 9th crew flight for NASA to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
October 10, 2024 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Europa Clipper
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the Europa Clipper spacecraft for NASA. The mission is to fly to Jupiter’s ocean moon, Europa.
It is expected to arrive in April 2030 and spend around four Earth years observing and orbiting the moon.
It was initially intended to launch Europa on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
NET October 2024 – United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket, ViaSat-3 EMEA
The Atlas V rocket will launch the second of three ViaSat-3 communications satellites for ViaSat Inc.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
The launch schedule has been delayed from June 2023 to early 2024.
November 2024 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Gateway PPE, and HALO
A SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket will launch the first two components of the Gateway orbiting station around the moon.
The payload will consist of the Maxar Technologies Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and Northrop Grumman’s Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO).
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
November 2024 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Griffin Mission 1 (GM1)/VIPER
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the Griffin Lunar Lander carrying NASA’s water-sourcing Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (Viper) to the lunar south pole near the western edge of the Nobile Crater as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
Space robotics startup Astrobotic, Pittsburgh, is building the Griffin Lander. After landing west of the Nobile Crater, the Viper rover will drive down a ramp to start a 100-day mission to explore the lunar surface and try and detect water, ice, and other resources.
Astrobotic is also building a smaller lander, Peregrine, as part of the same program. Peregrine was due to land on the moon in 2021 after the new United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket launched on its first flight, but this has been pushed back to 2022.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
NET November 2024 – Space Launch System, Exploration Mission 2 (EM-2) Artemis 2
The 2nd launch of the new Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket will take four astronauts aboard an Orion capsule on a flyby journey around the moon. This will be the first time astronauts have flown beyond low-earth orbit since the last Apollo 17 mission in 1972, over 50 years ago.
In April 2023, NASA announced the names of the four-person crew, and as expected, they consist of three NASA astronauts and one Canadian astronaut:
- Commander — Reid Wiseman (NASA)
- Pilot — Victor Glover (NASA)
- Mission Specialist — Christina Koch (NASA)
- Mission Specialist — Jeremy Hansen (CSA)
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-39B.
Delayed from June 2023 to May 2024.
December 2024 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, GLS-1
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the first Gateway Logistics Services mission to the Lunar Gateway using a Dragon XL spacecraft.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy, Gateway
A SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket will launch a Dragon XL cargo capsule for NASA carrying up to 11,000 pounds of cargo, experiments, and supplies to the Gateway orbiting station around the moon.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser CRS-6
The Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch the sixth Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Blue Ghost Lander M1
A Falcon 9 rocket will launch the first Blue Ghost Lander on behalf of Firefly Aerospace. The mission is to land on the moon in the Mare Crisium basin as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS).
Initially, Firefly was looking to launch Blue Ghost on its own Alpha rocket, but it did not have the necessary performance for the mission. Future launches could be on the more powerful Firefly Beta rocket.
2024 – United Launch Alliance Atlas V, CST-100 Starliner Mission 2
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the 2nd operational mission of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
This flight will be followed by at least five further confirmed missions between 2023 and 2026.
2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser CRS-2
The Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch the second Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser CRS-3
The Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch the third Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser CRS-4
The Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch the fourth Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser CRS-5
The Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch the fifth Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser to the International Space Station.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser SRS-6
The Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch the sixth Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser to the International Space Station. This is the last mission under the original contract.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.
2024 – New Glenn 1, First Demo Flight
The New Glenn 1 heavy-lift rocket, named after the pioneering astronaut John Glenn, will launch on its first demonstration mission.
Developed by Blue Origin, the first stage is powered by seven BE-4 engines, which will also power the United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket.
Two BE-3U engines power the second stage. Blue Origin has also developed all the engines.
Like SpaceX, Blue Origin intends to recover and reuse the first stage using a floating landing platform.
The launch will be from launch pad SLC-36.
2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Thuraya 4-NGS
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Thuraya 4-NGS communications satellite for Yahsat of the UAE.
H2 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Blue Ghost (CLPS-19D)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Blue Ghost lunar lander for Firefly Aerospace.
Blue Ghost will carry several payloads as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
The lander will touch down at Mare Crisium in the Moon’s Crisium basin.
February 1, 2025 – SpaceX Falcon 9, IMAP
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) for NASA.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
2025 – Space Launch System, Exploration Mission 2 (EM-3) Artemis 3
The third launch of the new Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket will take astronauts aboard an Orion capsule on a journey to the moon’s south polar region.
This will be the first crewed landing on the moon’s surface since the Apollo program’s end when the Apollo 17 mission launched over 40 years ago in 1972.
The crew will consist of four astronauts. Two will remain on the Gateway orbital station, while the other two descend to the moon’s surface in the Human Landing System (HLS). They are expected to spend around six days on the surface.
The SpaceX HLS must be flown up to the Gateway orbital station ahead of the Artemis 3 mission.
This would be the first time a female astronaut set foot on the moon’s surface.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39B.
January 2026 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, GLS-2
Using a Dragon XL spacecraft, a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the second Gateway Logistics Services mission (GLS) to the Lunar Gateway.
NET October 2026 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which NASA will use to search for Earth-like exoplanets.
Named after the American Astronomer Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, who was one of the leading lights in the development of Hubble, it was formerly known as the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST).
Like the Hubble Space Telescope, the Roman Space Telescope has a primary mirror that is 2.4 meters in diameter. However, the new telescope has a much larger field of view and can scan an area about 100 times bigger than Hubble and much faster.
The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.
The launch window runs from October 2026 to May 2027.
2025 – SpaceX Falcon 9, USSF-36
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a payload in the National Security Space Launch Phase 2.
Future Rocket Launch News
The number of missions from Florida continues to increase.
SpaceX
SpaceX had initially planned to launch a Falcon Heavy rocket, a crewed Dragon 2 capsule, and two private fee-paying passengers on a trip around the moon and back.
This mission has been canceled and replaced with a more ambitious launch of the Big Falcon Rocket (BFR), now renamed Starship. In September 2018, SpaceX announced that Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa had signed up to fly around the moon as early as 2023 with six to eight hand-picked companion artists. However, this will more likely be in 2024.
United Launch Alliance
In April 2021, ULA won a contract for nine Atlas V launches to support Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which provides low-latency Ka-band broadband services to customers worldwide. In total, Amazon expects to launch around 3,236 satellites, half of them by mid-2026.
Project Kuiper rivals SpaceX’s Starlink constellation and the OneWeb system.
Artemis
President Trump had set NASA the target of landing astronauts on the moon by 2024 under Project Artemis.
At present, the plan is to use the Space Launch System (SLS) in conjunction with the Orion spacecraft and a new module in Moon orbit called “Gateway,” a bit like the International Space Station orbiting EarthEarthaddition to supporting landing on the moon, the Gateway could also support flights to Mars.
Maxar Technologies is building the power and propulsion module (PPE) for the launch, which was to take place in 2022. Northrop Grumman is constructing the habitation module (HALO) for launch in 2023, and elements of the lunar lander will be launched in 2024.
No components have yet been launched as of the end of 2022, and the launch of the PPE and HALO modules is currently scheduled for November 2024 on a Falcon 9 Heavy.
The Gateway module will require about six launches to get all the necessary components into orbit. The first component was initially scheduled to launch in 2022, but the latest news is that the Gateway module is no longer on the critical path for moon landings.
In May 2020, NASA awarded three companies initial 10-month feasibility study contracts to propose human landing system designs for NASA’s planned Artemis moon landings, starting in 2024, as part of the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-2).
- Blue Origin proposed a three-stage Integrated Lander Vehicle (ILV) with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper. The vehicle would launch on Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket System and the ULA Vulcan launch system.
- Dynetics proposed their single-stage Dynetics Human Landing System (DHLS) in partnership with Sierra Nevada Corp. to launch the ULA Vulcan launch system.
- SpaceX is currently developing the Starship, a fully integrated lander that will be launched by its upcoming Super Heavy rocket.
It was expected that NASA would award two contracts, but due to budget constraints, in April 2021, NASA announced that they had awarded a single $2.89bn contract to SpaceX to build a lander based on their Starship craft. It will be known as the Human Landing System (HLS).
Blue Origin and Dynetics filed lawsuits objecting to SpaceX’s single contract award. The U.S. Government Accountability Office rejected the lawsuits in July 2021, but Blue Origin filed another suit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in August. This has resulted in further program delays.
The plan is to launch four astronauts on an SLS rocket into lunar orbit aboard an Orion spacecraft. Two crew members would then transfer to an HLS to land on the lunar surface near the south pole. After a mission lasting around a week, they would lift off from the moon’s surface and transfer back to the Orion spacecraft before returning to Earth.
Despite this contract being awarded, the planned schedule of returning humans to the moon’s surface by 2024 seems highly unlikely.
Visiting a Space Launch
It would be best to consider a few things when planning a trip to encounter the space launches at Cape Canaveral. Be sure to secure the best viewing spot possible. There’s a lot of effort involved in organizing your trip, and with so many cancellations due to bad weather or technical delays, you want to be sure you’re in a good spot for the launch. You may also want to purchase tour tickets and sort out your transport in advance. One thing to remember is there are often delays, so make sure you book accommodation that you can cancel at short notice with minimal to no penalty charges.
Viewing Locations
The Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral offers a range of great viewing locations for the launch events. Some popular spots include the Main Visitor Complex, where you can enjoy live commentary. You also have the Apollo / Saturn Center, which offers an unobstructed view of the launch pads across the River. More information on the viewing spots and recommendations can be found on the Kennedy Space Center website.
Tickets For A Space Launch
Booking your launch viewing ticket in advance is always favorable, as demand can get relatively high around significant launch events. Packages that include bus tours to historical launch sites, astronaut encounters, and educational sessions are available.
Transportation to Cape Canaveral
Transportation to Cape Canaveral for launch events is best planned, and it’s always vital to keep track of the most up-to-date launch feed, whether through Twitter or the launch website. It’s easier to book accommodation close to the Kennedy Space Center to avoid delays (or even missing the launch if there’s heavy traffic on the day). There are several hotels and rentals close by. Some local hotels offer launch packages, including transport to viewing sites. For the best experience, book your transport and accommodation early and confirm the arrangements with the hotel before arrival.
Sources
See also:- NASA tours | NASA tickets | current launch schedule
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