A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched three satellites for Texas-based ASAT SpaceMobile at 2:39 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from Cape Canaveral. The mission, named BlueBird 8-10, marked the 29th flight of the first-stage booster, which landed on a droneship downrange. The launch adds to a busy 2026 for the Space Coast, which ended 2025 with a record 109 orbital launches from SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin. This year could see a similar total as NASA prepares to launch the Space Launch System rocket on Artemis II and commercial companies increase their flight rates.
In 2025, the Space Coast saw 109 orbital launches, including 83 from Cape Canaveral and 26 from Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX accounted for 101 of those launches, all using Falcon 9 rockets, while ULA contributed 6 and Blue Origin added 2. The year also included four human spaceflights: Crew-10, Fram2, Ax-4, and Crew-11. 2024 saw 93 launches, and 2023 had 72. Each year has seen a steady increase in commercial and government missions.
As of June 17, 2026, the Space Coast has already recorded 41 orbital launches this year. Of those, 39 occurred at Cape Canaveral and 2 at Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX has conducted 35 launches, including 34 Falcon 9 and one Falcon Heavy. ULA has launched four rockets, and Blue Origin has one New Glenn on the NG-3 mission. NASA is set to launch the SLS rocket on Artemis II, which will carry astronauts beyond the Moon for the first time.
The June 17 launch was the second human spaceflight of 2026, following SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission in May. Artemis II is scheduled for later this year and will be the first crewed mission for NASA’s Space Launch System. The Space Coast’s launch activity continues to grow, with no signs of slowing as companies and agencies push toward increased flight rates and expanded exploration goals.