Cape Canaveral

Florida’s Space Coast is busier than ever, but there’s room for more
Long the busiest space launch complex in the United States, Cape Canaveral and Kennedy extended their combined five-year streak as the busiest commercial, civil and military launch range in the world.

Launch ranges lack spare parts to support growing demand
The Space Force lacks spare parts for much of the equipment needed to support launches from the Eastern and Western Ranges, an issue that could loom larger as launch activities at both spaceports increase.

Astra to perform next launch from Cape Canaveral
Small launch vehicle developer Astra Space announced Dec. 6 that it will conduct its next launch from a pad at Cape Canaveral in January, carrying a set of cubesats for NASA.

Space Force to create ‘one-stop shop’ for launch procurement and operations
The U.S. Space Force is consolidating oversight of space launch activities under a two-star general who will be the deputy commander of Space Systems Command.

Eastern Range looks for ways to support additional launches
As launch activity grows on the Eastern Range in Florida, companies and government agencies are looking at ways to add capacity, largely through incremental improvements.

Falcon 9 launches Starlink satellites
SpaceX successfully launched another set of Starlink satellites Feb. 4 in the first of back-to-back Falcon 9 launches scheduled from Cape Canaveral.

U.S. Air Force taps Brig. Gen. Purdy to command 45th Space Wing
Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy has been named commander of the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Space Wing and and director of the Eastern Range at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.

Polar launches from Cape won’t affect future of Vandenberg
Despite the successful demonstration of a launch to polar orbit from Cape Canaveral, the U.S. Space Force doesn’t foresee shifting launches to those orbits there from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Cape Canaveral’s Air Force launch wing to become a space delta
The 45th Space Wing that oversees the space launch ranges in Florida will no longer be a wing, it will be a space delta.

45th Space Wing on pace for 39 space launches in 2020
Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess: Three launches in a week has not been done in Florida since 2001

45th Space Wing: Launches to go on as scheduled
The wing has implemented telework but people are needed on site to support launches.

SpaceX planning major increase in Florida launch activity
SpaceX is proposing a significant increase in launch activity in Florida over the next few years, including missions to polar orbits and those that will require the use of a new vertical payload integration tower.

Patrick AFB, Cape Canaveral soon to be renamed Space Force bases
Also under consideration is what to call the space wings.

Starlink’s busy launch schedule is workable, says 45th Space Wing
The rapid growth in Starlink missions means the 48 launch target could be attained in 2020.

45th Space Wing prepares for first launch under the U.S. Space Force
A SpaceX launch of Starlink satellites scheduled for Jan. 6 will be the 45th Space Wing’s inaugural launch as part of the U.S. Space Force.

45th Space Wing commander: Changes underway to support commercial launch
Brig. Gen. Schiess: “We have to improve turnaround both with new technology and processes."

Cape Canaveral preparing for key military launches
The Air Force 45th Space Wing is gearing up for three high-profile space launches at Cape Canaveral over the coming months.

Firefly to establish factory and launch site in Florida
Firefly Aerospace announced agreements with state and federal agencies Feb. 22 to build a new factory for producing and launching its rockets from Florida’s Space Coast.

Relativity to build launch site at Cape Canaveral
Relativity, the startup developing a small launch vehicle using additive manufacturing technologies, announced Jan. 17 it has won approval from the U.S. Air Force to build a launch site at Cape Canaveral.

45th Space Wing gears up for surge in launch activity
45th Space Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Schiess: Gen. Raymond “is pushing us to look at ways to be more responsive.”