U.S. to Launch Record 145 Space Missions in 2024, Sparking Concerns Over Launch Site Congestion

Over the past five years, space flights in the United States, including satellite launches, have quintupled, causing overcrowding at rocket launch sites. With only three main launch locations and more missions expected, this congestion is likely to worsen.

Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell’s analysis, cited by the Wall Street Journal, highlights that the United States recorded 145 space flights last year, about five times more than in 2017. SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, was responsible for 134 launches.

The three main launch sites are Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. As space companies and the government plan more space missions, these launch sites are expected to become even more congested.

George Nield, a former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official, cautioned that a significant weather event or accident could incapacitate one of the major space launch sites for months or even years.

Competition among companies for launch site access is already fierce. SpaceX plans to launch its Starship from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, but competitors have raised concerns about potential congestion issues caused by large rocket launches.

Efforts to increase launch capacity include developing new launch sites and revitalizing smaller, previously unused facilities.

The Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska, which currently handles a maximum of three launches per year, is seeking government approval to increase its capacity to 25 launches annually. Its launch schedule for the next five years is already fully booked.

A spaceport in Oklahoma, which received the first FAA approval for aerial rocket launches two decades ago, has reportedly commissioned research to determine how to land rockets inland safely. However, no launches have taken place there yet.

Spaceport Company, founded in 2022, is experimenting with launching rockets from a 180-foot (approximately 50 meters) naval vessel at sea.

Maine Space Complex is working to develop a comprehensive facility that includes launch sites, information analysis centers, and research and development hubs. Since generating revenue solely from rocket launches is challenging, the state also seeks funding through space research and development initiatives.

The U.S. government is expected to unveil a national spaceport strategy this year to address the issue of launch site saturation. The U.S. Space Force is also working on projects to expand launch capabilities at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Space Force Bases.