Guide to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Launch Schedule in 2023

By James | Last updated December 23, 2023

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Our guide lists the complete Kennedy Space Center (KSC) rocket launch schedule for 2023 and the Cape Canaveral rocket launch schedule for 2023.

If you ever get the opportunity to watch the launch of a rocket then you do not want to miss it; it is an experience of a lifetime. Words cannot describe the sounds and excitement of watching a rocket blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center.

Watching a space shuttle launch from the NASA causeway is a memory that will never fade. Be sure to schedule your Kennedy Space Centre and Cape Canaveral Launch in but be aware these dates are always subject to delays for many different reasons.

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Rocket Launches for 2023

Below is the complete Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station rocket launch schedule for 2023.

Note that the Kennedy and Cape Canaveral launch schedule is provisional and are subject to change, you should always check with the Kennedy Space Center before making a special trip.

Be aware that SpaceX Starlink missions are often only announced a week or so before 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 to jump straight to the next rocket launch in Florida otherwise, just read on for a complete list of all launches in 2023.

You can also read about the historical rocket launch schedule for 2022 and the future rocket launch schedule for 2024 and beyond.

TOP 5 Florida Tours

If you are looking for something different from your Florida Holiday, these are some of our favorite tours:

  1. Kennedy Space Center – Lots to see and explore here including full day tours, astronaut experiences and your general entry tickets
  2. Everglades Boat Tours – Experience a different side of Florida with the hovercraft and boat tours around the Everglades
  3. Pirates Adventure Dinner Show – This is an action packed adventure show that is great fun for all the family
  4. Key West Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling – This unique tour is great if you love dolphin watching and or snorkeling (optional)
  5. Orlando: Drive-Thru Safari Park – Break away from the Theme Parks in Orlando and meet the animals in the comfort of your car

January 9, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, OneWeb 16

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a second batch of 40 broadband communication satellites for OneWeb. Total OneWeb satellite launches now stand at 16.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 11:50 p.m. EST.

The booster B1076 returned to Landing Zone 1 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station after its second flight.

Delayed from the Cape Canaveral launch schedule of January 8, 2023.

January 15, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, US Space Force 67 (USSF-67)

The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched a classified payload (formerly known as AFSPC-67) for the U.S. Space Force as part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract.

The payload included the second Space Force Continuous Broadcast Augmenting SATCOM (CBAS 2) military communications satellite and the Long Duration Propulsive ESPA 3A (LDPE 3A) rideshare satellite that will host other experimental satellites.

The launch was from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 5:56 p.m. EST.

The core stage was a new booster B1079 with B1064 and B1065 as the side boosters. The centre core was expended and the two side boosters were recovered to LZ-1 and LZ-2 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

This was the first Falcon Heavy launch in several years and up to four/five more Heavy launches are planned for 2023.

Delayed from the Cape Canaveral launch schedule of Quarter 4, 2022. Further delayed from January 10, 12, 13 and 14, 2023.

January 18, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, GPS III SV06

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 6th third-generation GPS satellite “Amelia Earhart” for the U.S. Air Force, built by Lockheed Martin.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 7:24 a.m. EST.

Booster B1077 had flown once before and landed on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” east of Charleston, South Carolina.

Delayed from late 2022.

January 26, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–2

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of the second generation Starlink satellites (Starlink Gen2 constellation).

The 56 Starlink satellites represent the heaviest payload to date launched by a single Falcon 9 rocket at around 17.4 metric tons (approx. 38,000 lbs).

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 4:32 a.m. EST.

The first stage booster was recovered to the ASDS “Just Read the Instructions” off the coast of Florida after its ninth successful launch.

February 2, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–3

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 53 second-generation Starlink satellites (Starlink Gen2).

The launch was from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 2:58 a.m. EST.

The booster B-1069 which had flown four times before landed on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas”.

This was the 200th launch of a Falcon 9 rocket.

Delayed from January 31 and February 1, 2023

February 6, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Amazonas Nexus

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a communications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space for Hispasat of Spain to provide coverage of Greenland and both North and South America.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 8:32 p.m. EST.

The Booster B-1073 had flown five times before and landed on the ASDS “Just Read the Instructions” off the coast of Florida.

Delayed from February 5, 2023, due to bad weather at both the launch site and recovery area.

February 12, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–4

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 55 second-generation Starlink satellites (Starlink Gen2).

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 12:10 a.m. EST.

The booster B-1062 made its twelfth successful launch before landing on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” northeast of the Bahamas.

February 17, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Inmarsat I-6 Flight 2 (F2)

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Immarsat I-6 F2 satellite for Inmarsat of London. Like Inmarsat I-6 F1, F2 has been built by Airbus Defence and Space.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch window starting at 10:59 p.m. EST.

Booster B1077 was on its third flight and landed on the ASDS “Just Read the Instructions” off the coast of Florida.

February 27, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–1

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the first batch of 21 second-generation Starlink satellites (Starlink V2 Mini).

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 6:13 p.m. EST.

The booster B1076 which had flown twice before landed on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” northeast of the Bahamas.

This was a landmark mission for SpaceX. This was the first launch of the larger heavier Starlink V2 Mini satellites with an argon-fueled electrical propulsion system, the 100th consecutive successful recovery of a Falcon 9 booster and the 174th landing overall.

In total over 4,000 Starlink satellites have been launched so far with over 3,200 in operation and another 400 moving to an operating orbit.

Delayed from February 26, 2023, due to adverse weather constraints.

March 2, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, USCV-6 (NASA Crew Flight 6)

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The purpose of the mission is to take the 6th crew flight for NASA to the International Space Station.

The crew consists of:

  • Stephen Bowen (NASA) — Mission Commander
  • Warren “Woody” Hoburg (NASA) — Pilot
  • Sultan Al Neyadi (UAE) — Flight Engineer
  • Andrey Fedyaev (Russia) — Mission Specialist

The launch was from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 12:34 a.m. EST.

A new booster B1078 had been earmarked for this mission and landed on the ASDS “Just Read the Instructions” off the coast of Florida.

Delayed from February 19 and 26, 2023. Launch scrubbed on February 27, 2023, at T-3 minutes after a technical issue with part of the ground systems.

March 9, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, OneWeb 17

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 40 broadband communication satellites for OneWeb.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 2:13 p.m. EST.

The booster B1062 landed back at LZ-1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station after its 13th successful launch.

Delayed from the Cape Canaveral launch schedule of March 1, 2023.

March 14, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, CRS 27

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 29th Dragon spacecraft. The purpose of the mission was to take the 27th resupply cargo load to the International Space Station.

The launch was from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 8:30 p.m. EDT.

The booster B1073 completed its seventh flight and was recovered to the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” east of Jacksonville.

Delayed from March 10, 2023.

March 17, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, SES-18 and 19

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SES-18 and SES-19 television and data satellites for SES. Both satellites have been built by Northrop Grumman.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 7:38 p.m. EDT.

Booster B1069 landed back on the ASDS “Just Read the Instructions” off the coast of Florida after its sixth flight.

Delayed from March 8, 2023.

March 22, 2023 – Relativity Space Terran 1, Good Luck, Have Fun

A Terran 1 “Good Luck, Have Fun” built by Relativity Space launched on its maiden flight. The Terran 1 rocket is 85% constructed by weight using 3-D printing and is powered by methane.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-16 with a launch time of 11:25 p.m. to EDT.

This was the first-ever launch by Relativity Space which was founded in 2015. The first stage performed well and passed through Max-Q without incident but after stage separation, the second stage suffered engine issues and it failed to reach its intended orbit.

On March 8, 2023, the launch was aborted at T-70 seconds, due to propellant thermal issues in the second stage.

On March 11, 2023, upper-level winds constraints delayed the start of the launch window and then the launch was halted at T-70 seconds due to a boat violation on the range. When the violation was cleared the countdown clock was restarted but aborted at T-0 after engine start.

A further attempt was made at the end of the launch window but again it was scrubbed at T-45 seconds following out-of-limit fuel pressures.

The March 22 launch time was delayed by over an hour due to upper-level winds constraints followed by another idiot piloting a boat into the restricted zone.

March 24, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–5

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 56 first-generation Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 11:43 a.m. EDT.

Booster B1067 which had flown nine times before was successfully recovered to the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” east of the Bahamas.

So far, SpaceX has launched 4,161 Starlink satellites of which 3,858 are currently in orbit (source: @planet4589).

This is the 20th Falcon 9 launch of 2023 of which 15 have been from Florida and 5 from California.

March 29, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–10

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 56 first-generation V1.5 Starlink satellites. This mission was originally planned for second-generation Starlink V2 Mini satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 4:01 p.m. EDT.

The total number of Starlink satellites launched to date now stands at 4,217.

The booster B1077 was on its fourth mission and was recovered to the ASDS “Just Read the Instructions” northeast of the Bahamas.

Delayed from March 24, 2023.

April 7, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Intelsat 40e/TEMPO

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 40e communications satellite for Intelsat using a flight-proven stage 1 booster. The satellite has been built by Maxar Technologies.

A secondary payload was NASA’s Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution satellite (TEMPO).

The launch was from launchpad SLC-40 with a launch time of 12:39 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1076 which had flown three times before, landed on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” about 400 miles downrange.

Delayed from 2022. Delayed from March 7, 2023.

April 19, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–2

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 21 second-generation Starlink satellites (Starlink V2 Mini).

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 10:31 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1073 was recovered to the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” after completing eight successful launches.

April 28, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, O3b mPOWER 3 & 4

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 2nd group of two O3b mPOWER broadband communications satellites for SES, Luxembourg.

Like the previous O3b satellites, they have been built by Boeing.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 6:12 p.m. EDT.

The booster B1078 was recovered to the ASDS “Just Read the Instructions” after its second flight.

Delayed from February 27 and March 2023.

April 30, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, ViaSat-3 Americas/Astranis

A SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket launched the third of three ViaSat-3 communications satellites for ViaSat Inc. directly into geostationary orbit.

This mission was a rideshare with a Gravity Space GS-1 satellite and Astranis’ first commercial communications satellite Arcturus that will service internet customers in Alaska. Previously Astranis was scheduled to launch their satellite on a Falcon 9 but switched to a Falcon Heavy to speed up the time taken to reach geostationary orbit.

The launch was from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 8:26 p.m. EDT.

Launch viewing opportunities were available from:

  • Feel The Heat Package — Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area next to the Apollo/Saturn V Center
  • Feel The Fun — Atlantis North Lawn Viewing Area
  • Main Visitor Complex

The main Visitor Complex was included in the standard admission. As this was a more popular launch, the other two packages required an additional launch package ticket. Also, read about alternative launch viewing opportunities.

Boosters B1052 and B1053 were allocated to this mission as the two side boosters with the brand new B1068 booster for the core. B1052 and B1053 had both flown before.

Because of payload/mission parameters, none of the boosters were recovered.

Delayed from quarter 2 and August 15, 2022. Futher delayed from December 2022, January and March 2023. Once more delayed from April 26 through 29, 2023 due to bad weather.

May 4, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–6

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 56 first-generation V1.5 Starlink satellites.

This brings the total Starlink satellites in orbit to 4,023 of which 3,988 are operational.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 3:31 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1069 was recovered to the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” northeast of the Bahamas after its seventh flight.

May 14, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–9

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 56 first-generation V1.5 Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 1:03 a.m. EDT.

The first stage booster, B1067 landed on the ASDS “Just Read The Instructions” northeast of the Bahamas after its eleventh successful launch and recovery.

The total number of Starlink satellites launched now stands at 4,447.

Delayed from April 2023.

May 19, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–3

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 22 second-generation V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 2:19 a.m. EDT.

The first stage booster, B1063 landed on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” northeast of the Bahamas after its eleventh flight.

Delayed from April and May 18, 2023.

May 21, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Axiom Space-2 (AX-2)

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Crew Dragon spacecraft “Freedom” on behalf of Axiom Space and flew four space tourists to the International Space Station (ISS) for around a twelve-day stay. This was the second Axiom mission.

The crew consisted of:

  • Peggy Whitson, former astronaut, now working for Axiom — commander
  • John Shoffner, racing car driver, pilot and investor — pilot
  • Ali Al-Qarni — mission specialist
  • Rayyanah Barnawi — mission specialist

The two mission specialist crew members were civilian flyers from Saudi Arabia.

The Dragon spacecraft docked with the Harmony module.

The launch was from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 5:37 p.m.

Launch viewing opportunities were available from:

  • Feel The Heat Package — Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area next to the Apollo/Saturn V Center
  • Main Visitor Complex

The main Visitor Complex was included in the standard admission. As this was a more popular launch, the other package required an additional launch package ticket. Also, read about alternative launch viewing opportunities.

The brand new booster B1080 was allocated for this mission and it landed back at Cape Canaveral on landing zone LZ-1. This was the first time a crewed mission booster has landed back at the Cape instead of on one of the ASDS.

Delayed from the Cape Canaveral launch schedule of May 2, 2023. Delayed from May 8, 2023 due to knock-on delays in a Falcon 9 Heavy launch.

May 27, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Badr 8

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Badr 8 (Arabsat 7B) communications satellite for Arabsat from Saudia Arabia.

The satellite was built by Airbus Defence and Space and is based on the Eurostar Neo design.

The launch was from launchpad SLC-40 with a launch time of 12:30 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1062, landed on the ASDS “Just Read The Instructions” after its fourteenth successful launch and recovery.

Delayed from May 21, 2023. Delayed from May 23 and 24, 2023 due to bad weather.

June 5, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–4

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 22 second-generation V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 8:20 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1078 landed on the ASDS “Just Read The Instructions” after its third successful launch and recovery, northeast of the Bahamas.

Delayed from May 30 and June 1, 2023.

June 5, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, CRS 28

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 30th Dragon spacecraft flight. The purpose of the mission is to take the 28th resupply cargo load to the International Space Station.

The launch was from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 11:47 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1077 was successfully launched on its fifth flight and was recovered to the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” east of Charleston.

Delayed from June 3, 2023 due to weather conditions. Delayed from June 4, 2023 due to strong winds in the booster recovery area.

June 12, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–11

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 52 V1.5 Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 3:10 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1073 landed on the ASDS “Just Read The Instructions” after its ninth successful launch and recovery.

This marks the 40th launch by SpaceX this year.

Delayed from June 9 and 10, 2023.

June 18, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Satria

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Satria communications satellite for PSN and the Indonesian government.

The satellite was built by Thales Alenia Space and is based on the Spacebus Neo design.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 6:21 p.m. EDT.

The booster B1067 was successfully launched on its twelfth flight and was recovered to the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean.

Moved forward from June 19, 2023.

This marks the 30th launch from the Cape this year of which 29 were SpaceX launches.

June 22, 2023 – United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy, NROL-68

The Delta IV Heavy rocket launched a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. This was the penultimate launch of a Delta IV Heavy rocket.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-37B with a launch time of 5:18 a.m. EDT.

Delayed from March 2023 and then further delayed from April 20, 2023 due to the discovery of a faulty flight valve. Delayed from June 21 due to technical issues with a ground systems pneumatics valve.

June 23, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–12

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 56 V1.5 Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 11:35 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1069 landed on the ASDS “Just Read The Instructions” northeast of the Bahamas after its eighth successful launch and recovery.

July 1, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Euclid

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Euclid space telescope for the European Space Agency. Euclid was originally scheduled to launch on a Russian Soyuz rocket.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time is 11:12 a.m. EDT.

Complimentary launch viewing was available from the Atlantis North Lawn at the Main Visitor Complex or you could purchase a Launch Viewing Package to watch the launch from either the LC-39 Observation Gantry or the Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area.

The booster B1080 was successfully recovered to the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean after its second flight.

July 9, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–5

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 22 of the larger V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 11:58 p.m. EDT.

The booster B1062 had made 15 flights to date and was recovered to the ASDS “Just Read the Instructions”. B1062 has now set a new record with 16 successful flights and recoveries.

July 15, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 5–15

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the last batch of 54 V1.5 Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 11:50 p.m. EDT.

Like the previous launch, this booster B1060 had also flown fifteen times before and landed on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas”.

Delayed from July 14, 2023 when the launch was aborted at T-40 seconds due to elevated O2 levels on one of the first-stage engines.

July 23, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–6

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 22 of the larger V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 8:50 p.m. EDT.

Viewing was available from the LC-39 Observation Gantry.

The booster B1076 had made 5 previous flights before landing on the ASDS “Just Read The Instructions”.

Delayed from July 22, 2023 due to bad weather.

July 28, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–7

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 22 larger V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 12:01 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1062 had made 14 previous flights before landing on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas”.

This marked the 50th SpaceX launch this year.

July 28, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Jupiter 3/EchoStar 24

The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched the Jupiter 3/EchoStar 24 commercial broadband satellite for EchoStar and Hughes Network Systems.

The Maxar-built satellite weighs in at 9 metric tons, the heaviest commercial satellite ever built and will provide communications including in-flight WiFi.

The launch was from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 11:04 p.m. EDT.

Feel the Heat launch viewing packages were available.

The side boosters were B1064 and B1065 with a new centre core, B1079. Both side boosters were recovered to landing zones LZ-1 and LZ-2 whilst the centre core was expended.

This was the third Falcon Heavy launch of 2023.

Delayed from May 2023. Moved up from August. Launch on July 26, 2023 was aborted at T-00:01:05 due to a technical issue. Launch on July 27, 2023 was pushed back due to the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink 6–7 launch.

August 3, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Galaxy 37

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a C-band television broadcasting satellite for Intelsat. The satellite is being built by Maxar Technologies.

The launch was from launchpad SLC-40 with a launch time of 01:00 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1077 had made 5 previous flights before landing on the ASDS “Just Read The Instructions”.

Delayed from Quarter 2, 2023.

August 6, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–8

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 22 larger V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 10:41 p.m. EDT.

The booster B1078 which had made 3 previous flights successfully landed on the ASDS “A Shortfall of Gravitas” east of the Bahamas.

August 11, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–9

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 22 larger V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

The launch was from launch pad SLC-40 with a launch time of 1:17 a.m. EDT.

The booster B1069 which had made 8 previous flights successfully landed on the ASDS “Just Read The Instructions” east of the Bahamas.

August 17, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Starlink 6–10

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of 22 larger V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

August 25, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, USCV-7 (NASA Crew Flight 7)

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Crew Dragon spacecraft “Endurance”. The purpose of the mission is to take the 7th crew flight for NASA to the International Space Station.

The crew will consist of:

  • Jasmin Moghbeli (NASA)
  • Andreas Mogensen (ESA, European Space Agency)
  • Satoshi Furukawa (JAXA, Japan)
  • Konstantin Borisov (ROSCOSMOS, Russia)

The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 03:49 a.m. EDT.

The Kennedy Space Center is offering it’s Feel the Heat package to view the launch from the Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area next to the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Delayed from the Kennedy Space Centre launch schedule of August 15, 2023 due to delays in the launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Jupiter 3/EchoStar 24 launch. Delayed from August 17 and 21, 2023.

September 10, 2023 (previously set for August 29, 2023) – United Launch Alliance Atlas V, NROL-107/Silent Barker

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket will launch the NROL-107 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The classified payload is known by the name Silent Barker, a joint programme between the Air Force Space Command and the National Reconnaissance Office.

The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

This launch was delayed on the 29th August due to the approaching Tropical Storm Idalia.

October 12, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Psyche – Launched

The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch a NASA exploration mission to the large metallic asteroid named Psyche as part of NASA’s Discovery programme. This will be NASA’s first primary mission flying on a Falcon Heavy.

Psyche is one of the largest asteroids in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and consists mainly of iron and nickel.

There were also two secondary smallsat payloads, Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (EscaPADE) which will study the Martian atmosphere and Janus, a pair of probes which will study pairs of binary asteroids. Due to mission delays, NASA is looking at other options.

After liftoff, the spacecraft will perform a Mars flyby in 2026 en route to Psyche. Once it arrives at Psyche in August 2029 it will orbit the asteroid for at least 21 months.

The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A with a launch time of 2:26 p.m. EDT.

The Psyche mission will use three brand new boosters, B1072 and B1075 for the side boosters and B1074 for the core. The core booster will most likely be expended.

Delayed from August 1, 2022, due to software issues that were discovered with the Psyche spacecraft during testing after arriving in Florida. Further delayed from September 20, 2022 and July 2023.

By failing to be ready to launch in 2022, the knock-on effect is that the Psyche mission has been pushed back by three years from 2026 to 2029.

12 November, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, O3b mPOWER 5 & 6

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 3rd group of two O3b mPOWER communications satellites for SES, Luxembourg.

Like the previous O3b satellites, they have been built by Boeing.

The launch is from launch pad SLC-40.

Delayed from March and June 9, 2023.

December, 2023 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur VC2S, Peregrine

The first United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket (Certification-1) will launch the Peregrine lunar lander for Astrobotic Technology on its maiden flight.

Peregrine is part of the preparation for a crewed landing on the Moon in 2024 as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme.

The lander will now touch down in an area called the Gruithuisen Domes instead of the original panned landing site of Lacus Mortis. This is to assist in preparing for a planned 2026 NASA landing of the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) to examine the domes.

Additional payloads are two prototype Kuiper broadband satellites and a Celestis Memorial Spaceflight to send loved ones’ ashes into deep space.

The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

This was Delayed from late 2021 and Quarters 1, 2 and 4, 2022 and then further delayed from Quarter 1, 2023.

Delayed from May 4, 2023, following an explosion at a test stand at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama.

November 09, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, CRS 29 – Launched

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 31st Dragon spacecraft. The purpose of the mission is to take the 29th resupply cargo load to the International Space Station.

The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.

December 10, 2023 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, US Space Force 52 (USSF-52)

The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch a classified payload (formerly known as AFSPC-52) for the U.S. Space Force.

Boosters B1064 and B1065 have flown before on a previous Falcon Heavy mission, USSF-67. The centre core booster B1070 will likely be expended.

The launch will be from launch pad LC-39A.

Delayed from October 2021 “based on launch manifest priorities”. This follows the delay to the previous Falcon Heavy mission. Delayed from Quarter 2 and October 2022.

Delayed from June 23 and July 6, 2023.

December 24, 2023 – United Launch Alliance (ULA), Vulcan Centaur to Launch Christmas Eve – Cape Canaveral

ULA are looking for a super festive Christmas Eve launch of their new rocket Vulcan Centaur from Cape Canaveral. This is a “certification-1” launch.

The launch is scheduled to start at 1:49 a.m. EST. The launch must happen at this time, otherwise we move to the 25th or 26th December (which no one really wants).

2023 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Masten Mission One (MM1) – Unknown

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch nine NASA and technology experiments as well as several commercial payloads to the lunar south pole on board the Masten Space Systems lunar lander, Xelene XL-1.

Kennedy Space Center Rocket Launch Sites

The Kennedy Space Center is actually two rocket launch sites, the civilian NASA Kennedy Space Center and the military Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Both are part of the “Eastern Range” overseen by Space Launch Delta 45 (formerly 45th Space Wing) which also looks after the nearby Patricks Space Force Base.

Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is the headquarters of the “Western Range”.

The current operational launch pads at the Kennedy Space Center are the two former Space Shuttle pads plus a new multi-purpose pad constructed in 2021:

  • LC-39A — SpaceX, Falcon 9 and Falcon 9 Heavy
  • LC-39B — NASA, SLS Artemis programme
  • LC-48A — commercial launch companies

The current operational launch pads at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are:

  • SLC-16 — Relativity Space, Terran 1
  • SLC-37B — ULA, Delta IV
  • SLC-40 — SpaceX, Falcon 9
  • SLC-41 — ULA, Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur
  • SLC-46 — Astra, Space Rocket 3.3

Upcoming operational launch pads include:

  • SLC-20 — Firefly, Alpha and Beta
  • SLC-36 — Blue Origin, New Glenn

2023 Florida Rocket Launch Highlights

In 2022 there were 57 rocket launches from Florida, averaging a launch every six days. The CEO of SpaceX Elon Musk is targeting 100 launches in 2023 with a large proportion of those expected to be from Florida so it is likely that 2023 will see more launches than 2022.

In fact the U.S. Force are forecasting as many as 87 launches from Florida in 2023.

A number of new rockets had hoped to make their first Florida launches in 2021/2022 but many of them slipped into 2023.

These include the first crewed flight of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket, Blue Origin New Glenn rocket, Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser and Relativity Space 3-D printed Terran 1 rocket.

Firefly Aerospace Alpha

SpaceX Rocket Launches

SpaceX are expected to again be the predominant launch company in Florida in 2023.

First stage booster recovery is being handled by two autonomous spaceport drone ships (ASDS) “A Shortfall of Gravitas“ and “Just Read The Instructions” plus the two landing zones at the Cape, this gives SpaceX the flexibility to recover up to two Falcon 9 boosters on land and two at sea at any one time.

Two former offshore platform supply ships named “Bob” and “Doug”, after NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are assisting in the recovery of the two payload fairing halves and for towing the ASDS barges out to sea.

Recovery of the Dragon and Crew Dragon spacecraft is handled by the recovery ships, “GO Searcher” and “GO Navigator” alongside “Megan”.

SpaceX 2023 and 2024

It is expected that 2023 and 2024 will be busy as SpaceX continue with their new Starlink and ride-share missions where up to 60 small satellites are launched each time as part of their global internet service. Note that these launches are not usually added to the manifest until quite close to the launch date.

In total, SpaceX has approval to launch up to 12,000 Starlink satellites.

As many as six Falcon Heavy launches are planned for 2023.

In late July, SpaceX beat their previous record of 31 launches in 2021 with a launch from Vandenberg in California.

SpaceX is currently working on new fixtures at their former Space Shuttle launch pad, LC-39A. As well as support for future Starship/Super Heavy launches they are also building a vertical integration tower to enable them to mount sensitive military satellites vertically. This Rocket Mobile Service Tower is needed to support their National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Launch Service contract with the Department of the U.S. Air Force.

At present all SpaceX launched satellites are mounted horizontally in the SpaceX hanger close to the pad but some military satellites have to be kept vertical prior to launch.

SpaceX Missions

There are two SpaceX crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS) planned for 2022. In addition other crewed launches are planned including Polaris Dawn and three further Axiom flights.

SpaceX is completing construction of a Starship orbital launch pad at pad LC-39A that currently supports Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches.

In September 2022, SpaceX and NASA announced plans to upgrade launch pad SLC-40 to support Falcon 9 Dragon crewed and supply missions. This would allow SpaceX to continue fulfilling their launch contracts if pad LC-39A were to become inoperable for any reason.

In December 2020, SpaceX and L3 Harris were awarded a contract to build up to 28 Transport and Tracking Layer (TTL) missile-tracking satellites (Tranche 0) for the US Space Development Agency (SDA).

They will be launched on two Falcon 9 rockets though it has not yet been announced where they will launch from.

Further contracts are expected for Tranche 1 (2024) and Tranche 2 (2026).

United Launch Alliance (ULA) Rocket Launches

Boeing has been beset with delays with their new CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. The first unmanned demo flight to the ISS in 2019 had to be abandoned and despite hopes to fly a second demo mission in 2021, a number of technical issues pushed this back to 2022.

The new ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket is also now scheduled to make it’s first flight in 2023 having slipped from 2021 and then 2022.

Its first stage is powered by the new Blue Origin BE-4 engines which will end the reliance on Russian built RD-180 engines as used in the Atlas V series. Delays have meant that both launches of ULA’s Vulcan Centaur and Blue Origin’s New Glenn rockets have been pushed back.

ULA were originally planning to jettison the first stage engines and recover them in flight using a helicopter but are now moving towards a parachute landing at sea.

In September 2021 ULA confirmed that they would not be ordering any more RD-180 engines and that the Atlas V rocket would be retired in the mid 2020s after the final 29 missions.

NASA Rocket Launches

NASA finally managed to launch the new Space Launch System, Artemis 1 in 2022 but the second mission is not scheduled until 2024.

Moon Lander Progress

Progress on NASA’s moon lander programme has been slow due to both budget cuts and court cases brought by both Blue Origin and Dynetics who initially lost out to SpaceX.

Originally back in April 2020, three companies were selected by NASA to produce proposals for the construction of a human moon lander module as part of the Artemis programme Human Landing System (HLS):

  • SpaceX with their Starship Super Heavy Rocket
  • Blue Origin (in conjunction with Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Draper) with the United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket
  • Dynetics with the United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket

It was expected that two companies would be selected to continue with the project but on April 30, 2021 SpaceX was the only company awarded a contract.

Both Blue Origin and Dynetics tried to get the verdict changed through the court system causing a six month stop. In September 2021, NASA found extra funds for a follow-up programme known as Lunar Exploration Transportation Services (LETS), and awarded all three companies more money to continue the work.

Blue Origin Rocket Launches

As well as the ULA Vulcan Centaur, the New Glenn rocket from Blue Origin will also use the BE-4 engines. Blue Origin rockets will launch from SLC-36.

Each booster is expected to have a lifetime of 25 launches with recovery to an autonomous barge similar to those used by SpaceX.

After lengthy delays with the BE-4 engines, Blue Origin are now targeting late 2023 for the first flight.

Sierra Nevada Rocket Launches

Sierra Nevada Corporation who are building the “mini shuttle” Dream Chaser are planning to launch their spacecraft on the new United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket.

Flight delays have pushed first flight of the Vulcan rocket from 2021 to 2023.

This has had a knock-on effect and it now looks like the Dream Chaser launch will not be until 2024. Sierra Nevada has a contract for six cargo launches to the ISS.

The unmanned Dream Chasers will be recovered to the former Space Shuttle Landing Facility at Cape Canaveral, now known as Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility.

Firefly Aerospace Rocket Launches

A small-to-medium sized rocket builder, Firefly Aerospace have established a factory with a view to launching its Alpha and Beta rockets from SLC-20 (former Titan) launchpad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

There is no information at this time when Alpha or Beta rockets might launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

To date Firefly have made two Alpha rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The first launch was on September 2, 2021 but an anomaly during the ascent resulted in the rocket being destroyed. The second launch on October 1, 2022 was successful.

Relativity Space Rocket Launches

Another former Titan and Pershing missile launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, SLC-16 is the new home of Relativity Space.

They had intended to launch small satellites up to 2,750 lbs (1,250 kg) by the end of 2021 using their 85% 3-D printed Terran 1 rocket powered by nine Aeon 1 engines in the first stage and a single Aeon 1 in the second stage. Launch date has now been pushed back to 2023.

Longer term they are planning to build the Terran R with a payload of over 44,000 lbs (20,000 kg) and reusable first and second stages. First flight is anticipated in 2024, again from SLC-16.

The Terran R first stage is powered by seven Aeon R engines and the second stage by a single Aeon Vac engine. Like the spacecraft itself, the engines will also be 3-D printed and will be capable of lifting around 44,000 pounds of payload into low Earth orbit.

Whilst the Terran 1 first stage will be expendable, the Terran R first stage will be recovered.

Astra Space Rocket Launches

After abandoning development of their Rocket 3 design in August 2022 to concentrate on a larger Rocket 4 with an increased capacity, it is unclear of a flight schedule at this time.

Astra Space of Alamada, California is one of three companies awarded contracts under the NASA Venture Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 contract, the others being Relativity Space Inc. of Long Beach, California and Firefly Black LLC of Cedar Park, Texas.

Space Perspective Balloon Flights

A company called Space Perspective are planning to launch space balloon flights from the landing facility at the Kennedy Space Center.

The capsule is called Spaceship Neptune and it would take a pilot and up to eight passengers on a six hour journey. The capsule offers 360 degree panoramic views of Earth.

The balloon would lift off from Kennedy and take about two hours to ascend to 100,000 feet (about three times higher than normal commercial airliners). Guests would then spend about two hours in space before descending back to Earth.

The capsule would land on the sea and guests would then be ferried back to Kennedy by boat.

They anticipate a first crewed flight in 2023 followed by commercial launches in 2024 and already all 25 flights for 2024 are fully booked.

Ultimately they may launch from the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, now renamed as Space Coast Airport and Spaceport.

Safety at a Space Launch

It’s fair to say that safety is undoubtedly as expected, very strict and thorough at launch events. Safety is the highest priority at sites such as Cape Canaveral and security for the public is paramount.

Cape Canaveral for example has precise safety measures to protect visitors on rocket launch days. There’s strict exclusion zones (on land and water) that are patrolled by the U.S Coast Guard and local authorities. These zones are enforced to help maintain a safe distance from potential hazards from a space launch.

Sources

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