A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 on Friday, June 12, 2026, carrying 29 Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch occurred on the same day SpaceX completed its initial public offering (IPO) on Wall Street, marking a significant milestone for the company. The mission, designated Starlink 10-54, was the first of many expected in 2026 as SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Blue Origin increase their launch schedules.
The Space Coast ended 2025 with a record 109 orbital launches, the highest number in the region’s history. That total included 83 launches from Cape Canaveral and 26 from Kennedy Space Center (KSC). SpaceX accounted for 101 of those launches, all on Falcon 9 rockets. In 2026, the region is on track for at least 40 orbital launches by year’s end, with 38 expected from Cape Canaveral and 2 from KSC. SpaceX is projected to conduct 34 launches this year, including 33 Falcon 9 and one Falcon Heavy missions.
NASA’s Artemis II mission, which will carry astronauts on the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, is also scheduled for 2026. The Artemis II launch will add one of the two human spaceflights expected this year, alongside SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission. ULA plans four launches in 2026, including three Atlas V and one Vulcan Centaur missions, while Blue Origin is set to launch its New Glenn rocket on the NG-3 mission.
The Space Coast’s launch activity has grown steadily over the past few years. In 2024, the region saw 93 launches, with 88 conducted by SpaceX. In 2023, 72 launches took place, including 68 by SpaceX and three by ULA. The increase in activity has been driven by SpaceX’s rapid expansion, NASA’s Artemis program, and the return of commercial crew missions. As of June 12, 2026, the Space Coast has already conducted four launches this year, with more expected as the year progresses.