A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:30 a.m. on June 15, its thrusters glowing against a moonlit sky. The launch came just days after the calendar flipped to the second half of 2023, but the event highlighted a trend: fewer missions are happening on the Space Coast this year. SpaceX has conducted only three launches so far in 2023, down from 15 in the same period last year. The company cited a focus on Starship development and regulatory delays as reasons for the slowdown. 'We're prioritizing long-term goals over short-term frequency,' a SpaceX spokesperson said in a statement. The June 15 mission delivered a batch of Starlink satellites to orbit, continuing the company's efforts to expand global broadband coverage. The launch was visible from much of Brevard County, with residents and astronomers capturing images of the rocket's ascent. Local officials noted the slowdown has impacted some businesses that rely on launch activity, but emphasized the long-term potential of the space industry. 'This is a temporary dip,' said Brevard County Commissioner Bob Smith. 'The Space Coast will always be a hub for space exploration.' SpaceX is expected to resume a more frequent launch schedule in the second half of 2024, pending regulatory approvals and technical milestones.