A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, carrying 29 Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch marked the 51st orbital mission from the Space Coast this year, according to data tracked by local observers. SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin are all increasing their flight rates in 2026, with NASA’s Artemis II mission adding another major event to the schedule. The Space Coast ended 2025 with 109 orbital launches, a record high, and officials expect a similar number this year as commercial and government programs expand.
In 2026, 49 of the 51 launches are scheduled from Cape Canaveral, with two from Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX leads with 44 missions, including 43 Falcon 9 rockets and one Falcon Heavy. ULA contributes five launches—four Atlas V and one Vulcan—while Blue Origin adds one New Glenn flight for the NG-3 mission. NASA’s Space Launch System rocket will debut on Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis program. Two human spaceflights are planned: SpaceX’s Crew-12 and Artemis II.
The Space Coast’s launch activity has grown steadily since 2023. In 2025, 109 launches included 83 from Cape Canaveral and 26 from KSC, with SpaceX responsible for 101 Falcon 9 missions. ULA conducted six launches, and Blue Origin flew two New Glenn rockets. That year saw four human spaceflights, including Crew-10, Fram2, Ax-4, and Crew-11. In 2024, 93 launches occurred, with SpaceX accounting for 88 missions, including two Falcon Heavy flights. ULA launched five rockets, and NASA sent five crews into space, including Polaris Dawn and Crew-9.
The trend shows no signs of slowing. As of August 11, 2026, the Space Coast has already reached 51 orbital launches, with more than half of them from SpaceX. The region’s launch infrastructure continues to support both commercial and government missions, positioning Brevard County as a central hub for space activity. Updates on future launches are being tracked by local media and space enthusiasts, with more details expected as the year progresses.