SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company, is gearing up for an ambitious year of rocket launches in 2024. With a target of 148 launches, SpaceX is set to surpass its previous record of 98 launches in the year before, representing a significant increase in launch cadence. This would require the company to launch a rocket approximately every two and a half days to achieve its goal.
As of now, SpaceX has successfully launched 29 rockets in 2024, comprising 28 Falcon 9 launches and one Starship launch. Notably, the company is poised to undertake a series of Starship testing flights, which are expected to play a pivotal role in SpaceX’s future endeavors.
SpaceX 2024 Launches at a Glance
Here’s a snapshot of SpaceX’s 2024 launches:
- Number of launches: 29 (Falcon 9: 28, Falcon Heavy: 0, Starship: 1)
- Non-Starlink missions: 10
- Reused boosters: 26
- Launch success rate: 100%
- Launch rate: 3.00 days (Needed for 148 launches: 2.47 days or lower)
- East Coast launches: 18 (LC-39A: 6, SLC-40: 12)
- Gulf Coast launches: 1 (Starbase)
- West Coast launches: 10 (SLC-4E)
- Total payload mass: ~320,872 kg (Not including classified and rideshare missions or crew)
- Total crew: 8 (Government: 7, Commercial: 1)
Starship Testing and Future Prospects
Looking ahead, SpaceX’s Starship testing is set to take center stage in 2024. With the potential for double-digit test flights, SpaceX aims to demonstrate significant progress towards making Starship a viable commercial rocket and perfecting in-space refueling. The company’s ability to navigate regulatory processes and conduct frequent Starship launches could pave the way for enhanced confidence in its capabilities, particularly in the context of the Artemis 3 mission scheduled for 2026.
Record-Setting Human Spaceflight Year?
While SpaceX initially appeared poised to break its own record for the most human spaceflight launches in a year, delays to the Polaris Dawn mission have impacted this prospect. Nevertheless, SpaceX’s ambitious plans for 2024 indicate a year of substantial growth and exploration in the realm of spaceflight.
