2024 and Beyond: Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral Launch Schedule

This page lists the complete Kennedy Space Center (KSC) rocket launch schedule and the Cape Canaveral rocket launch schedule for 2024 and beyond.

Click here for the complete rocket launch manifest for 2023.

Kennedy Space Center Launch Sites

The rocket launch facility on Florida’s East coast consists of two launch sites, the civilian NASA Kennedy Space Center and the military Cape Canaveral Space Force Station which make up part of the “Eastern Range”.

This is overseen by the 45th Space Wing which also looks after nearby Patricks Space Force Base. Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is the headquarters of the “Western Range”.

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Kennedy Space Center Tickets and Tours

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 special 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 and where you can watch a rocket launch.

If you are interested in the Florida rocket launch schedules for 2025 or 2026, then jump straight to them here:

• Planned rocket launches for 2025
• Planned rocket launches for 2026

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

Early 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 unmanned fully autonomous re-usable mini space shuttle on a mission to the International Space Station. Like the space shuttle before it, Dream Chaser can land on a runway after its re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere.

In August 2020, the first 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 a further 10,000 lbs (4,500 kgs). Unlike the main spacecraft, the cargo module cannot be returned to Earth but is designed to burn up in the atmosphere on re-entry.

The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

Launch schedule delayed from mid and late 2022, August and December 2023.

Early 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 originally planned for a Vulcan Centaur launch but has been switched to an Atlas V due to delays in the new Vulcan programme.

The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

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 same spacecraft as on 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 originally assigned to this mission but has been switched to the SpaceX Crew 5 mission.

The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

Launch schedule delayed from March 2023.

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.

Launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

This flight will be followed by at least five further confirmed missions between 2023 and 2026.

12 January, 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 hope to be the first commercial company to successfully land a lunar lander on the surface of the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract.

A secondary payload is Ispace’s Hakuto-R lunar lander.

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 a crater called Malapert A in the Ocean of Storms region near the moon’s south pole.

The launch is from launch pad LC-39A.

Delayed from quarter 3 and December 2022. Delayed from January, March and June 2023. Further Delayed from November 2023.

NET January, 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.

Launch schedule delayed from June 2023.

NET Early 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 manned 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 in 1966 reached an altitude of 853 miles. For comparison, the International Space Station orbits at around 250 miles.

The crew consists of:

• Jared Isaacman – Commander
• Scott “Kidd” Poteet – Spacecraft Pilot (retired US Air Force)
• Sarah Gillis – Mission Specialist (SpaceX astronaut training program)
• Anna Menon – Mission Specialist (SpaceX mission director)

At an altitude of around 310 miles, two of the crew members will exit the Crew Dragon spacecraft on tethers wearing SpaceX-designed extravehicular activity (EVA) pressurised spacesuits. As the Dragon craft does not have an airlock, all crew members will have to wear EVA spacesuits. This would be the first time anyone has ever 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 a total of 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 programme will also benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital which benefited from the sum of $243 million from the Inspiration4 flight.

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

Delayed from November and December 2022. Delayed from March 2023.

January 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

January 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 their third mission and will fly four space tourists to the International Space Station (ISS) for around an eight-day stay.

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.

Late January 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 is unable to launch on their own Antares 230 rocket due to the lack of engines and boosters from Russia.

Delayed from October 2023.

Early 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 originally planned for a Vulcan Centaur launch but has been switched to an Atlas V due to delays in the new Vulcan programme.

The launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

January 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.

January 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.

January 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.

January 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.

Q1 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 whilst two polarimeters will study the properties of clouds, aerosols and the ocean.

The launch will be from launch pad SLC-40.

January 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, MethaneSat

March 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.

A secondary payload is the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1) 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.

March 2024 – SpaceX Falcon 9, Türksat 6A

Delayed from Quarter 2, 2023

April 2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, USSF-87

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.

April 2024 – United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur, USSF-106

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.

Launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

April 2024 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, GOES-U

A SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket will launch the last of the 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.

No Earlier than Mid-April 2024 – United Launch Alliance Atlas V, CST-100 Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT)

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the 1st crewed test flight of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner to the International Space Station carrying two NASA astronauts (originally three). This follows two unmanned test flights OFT-1 and OFT-2.

It was originally 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 that an Atlas V rocket has launched with astronauts on board.

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.

Nicole Mann, a former U.S. Marine Corps test pilot, was also originally assigned to this mission but has been 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 who was also assigned is now a backup spacecraft test pilot/commander.

Launch will be from launch pad SLC-41.

Delayed from August 2019 and Quarter 1, 2020. Then further delayed from mid 2020 following the decision to re-fly the Orbital Test Flight (OFT-2). Delayed from early 2021, June 2021 and Quarter 4, 2021 and then delayed from December 8, 2022. Further delayed from February and April 2023.

Delayed from July 21 following technical issues with the spacecraft wiring and parachute system.

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.

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 their fourth mission and will fly four space tourists to the International Space Station (ISS) for around an eight day stay.

Launch is from launch pad LC-39A.

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 will then spend around four Earth years observing and orbiting the moon.

It had originally been intended to launch Europa on NASA’s own Space Launch System rocket.

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

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 Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) manufactured by Maxar Technologies and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) manufactured by Northrop Grumman.

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.

The Griffin Lander is being built by space robotics startup Astrobotic, Pittsburgh. 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 called Peregrine as part of the same program. Peregrine was due to land on the Moon in 2021 after being launched by the new United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket on its very 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 and 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 – SpaceX Falcon 9, CRS 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.

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 in the Mare Crisium basin on the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS).

Originally Firefly was looking to launch Blue Ghost on their own Alpha rocket but it does not have the necessary performance for the mission. Future launches could be on the more powerful Firefly Beta rocket.

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 south polar region of the moon.

This will be the first crewed landing on the surface of the moon since the end of the Apollo programme 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 whilst the other two descend to the moon’s surface in the Human Landing System (HLS). They are expected to spend around 6 days on the surface.

The SpaceX HLS will need to be flown up to the Gateway orbital station ahead of the Artemis 3 mission.

This would be the first time a female astronaut sets foot on the surface of the moon.

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

Delayed from September 2024.

January 2026 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, GLS-2

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the second Gateway Logistics Services mission (GLS) to the Lunar Gateway using a Dragon XL spacecraft.

NET October, 2026 – SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope for NASA 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 2.4 metres in diameter. However, the new telescope has a much larger field of view and will be able to scan an area about 100 times bigger than Hubble and also much faster.

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

The launch window runs from October 2026 to May 2027.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 as part of the original contract.

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. These engines will also power the United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket.

The second stage is powered by two BE-3U engines. All the engines have also been developed by Blue Origin.

Like SpaceX, Blue Origin intend to recover the first stage for re-use 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 a number of payloads as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme.

The lander will touch down at Mare Crisium in the Moon’s Crisium basin.

2025 – SpaceX Falcon 9, USSF-36

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a payload as part of the National Security Space Launch Phase 2.

Future Rocket Launch News

The number of missions from Florida continues to increase.

SpaceX

SpaceX had originally planned to launch a Falcon Heavy rocket with a crewed Dragon 2 capsule and two private fee-paying passengers on a trip around the moon and back.

This mission has now been cancelled 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 a group of six to eight hand-picked companion artists though 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 to provide low-latency Ka-band broadband services to customers across the globe. In total Amazon expects to launch around 3,236 satellites, half of them by mid-2026.

Project Kuiper is a rival to 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 Earth. As well as supporting landing on the Moon, the Gateway could also be used to support flights to Mars.

Maxar Technologies are building the power and propulsion module (PPE) for the launch which was to launch in 2022 with Northrop Grumman constructing the habitation module (HALO) for launch in 2023 with elements of the lunar lander being launched in 2024.

As of the end of 2022, no components had yet been launched 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 originally 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 initial 10-month feasibility study contracts to three companies 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 put forward their three-stage Integrated Lander Vehicle (ILV) in conjunction with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper, which would launch on their own 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 on the ULA Vulcan launch system.
• SpaceX is currently developing the Starship which is a fully integrated lander to be launched by their 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).

Both Blue Origin and Dynetics filed lawsuits objecting to the awarding of a single contract to SpaceX. The US Government Accountability Office rejected the lawsuits in July 2021 but then Blue Origin filed another suit in the US Court of Federal Claims in August. This has resulted in further delays to the programme.

The current 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 surface of the moon and transfer back to the Orion spacecraft before returning to Earth.

Despite this contract being awarded, the planned schedule of returning humans to the surface of the moon by 2024 now seems highly unlikely.

Sources

• Kennedy Space Center
• Space Flight Now
• Space Launch Schedule
• SpaceX
• United Launch Alliance

See also:- NASA tours | NASA tickets | current launch schedule