2024 Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral Launches

Florida Rocket Launches for 2024

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

Click here for the complete rocket launch manifest for 2023.

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 sea.

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.

June 5, 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.

The spacecraft will land at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico at the end of the mission.

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.

The mission was scheduled for June 1st. However, they have backup dates for Sunday, June 2, Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6.

 CST-100 Starliner took flight on June 5 at 10:52 a.m. EDT. The launch occurred at Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41), Cape Canaveral.

5 June 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. The launch was successful on the 5th June.

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. The launch was successful on the 25th June.

30 July 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. The launch was successful on July 30th at 6:45 a.m. ET.

9 July 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Türksat 6A

Türksat 6A is a communication satellite built in Turkey with some Canadian payloads. It will provide data relays for civil and military comms.

The launch will be from SLC-40 or LC-39A. The launch was successful on the 9th July.

10 August 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. The Launch was successful on August 10th.

18 September 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Galileo L13 

This is for the launch of two Galileo satellites, which will help provide Europe with an alternative navigation system to the current systems in place.

The launch will be from launch pad SLC-40, Cape Canaveral. The Launch was successful on the 18th September.

28 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. The Falcon 9 Crew Flight’s launch on September 28th was successful.

October 14, 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. Europa Clipper Successfully launched on the 14th of October.

7 November 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink 6-77

SpaceX aims to launch another set of satellites to contribute to its network of satellites, providing internet services to areas where connectivity may not be possible. You can view this launch from Kennedy Space Centre. Admission includes viewing the launch on the day. Please check for the latest updates direct from SpaceX up to the launch day, as late cancellations are common with space launches.

• Launch Provider: SpaceX
• Location: Kennedy Space Centre
• Rocket Type: Falcon 9 | Block 5
• Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 40

The Launch was successful on the 7th November.

2 December 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, SXM-9

SXM 9 is a highly powered broadcasting satellite for the digital audio radio service (DARS). It’s the third of six satellites Sirius plans to launch into space.

• Launch Provider: SpaceX
• Location: KSC LC-39A / CCSFS SLC-40
• Rochet Type:
• Launch Pad:
• Operator: SiriusXM

Late 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.

December 19, 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.