SpaceX launched its 100th Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 on March 15, 2025. The mission carried 52 Starlink satellites to orbit and marked the first time a commercial company reached 100 launches from Florida. The rocket’s first stage landed at Landing Zone 1, completing its 10th flight. SpaceX officials said the milestone reflects the company’s growing role in the global space industry.
The launch was the third Falcon 9 mission of 2025 from Florida and the 104th overall for the rocket. The payload included Starlink satellites to expand broadband coverage in Africa and South America. The rocket’s Block 5 design allows for up to 10 flights, though SpaceX has not yet reused this particular booster. The mission was the first since the company’s 2024 Starship test flight and comes as SpaceX prepares for crewed missions to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis program.
Brevard County officials highlighted the economic impact of SpaceX’s operations. Commissioner Julie Brown said the company has created over 2,000 local jobs since 2010 and contributed $2.3 billion to the regional economy. SpaceX’s presence has also spurred growth in nearby industries like aerospace manufacturing and satellite communications. Local engineers and technicians have been involved in the 100th launch, with some working on the rocket’s guidance systems and payload integration.
The milestone follows SpaceX’s record-breaking 2024, which saw 103 Falcon 9 launches globally. The company aims to increase Florida-based launches to 15 per year by 2026 to support Starlink expansion and lunar missions. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the long-term effects of frequent rocket launches on coastal ecosystems, though SpaceX has invested in wildlife monitoring programs near launch sites.
SpaceX’s next major project includes testing the Starship prototype at Boca Chica, Texas, with potential crewed Mars missions by the early 2030s. The 100th Falcon 9 launch underscores Florida’s continued importance as a hub for commercial spaceflight, with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center also preparing for Artemis missions later this year.