SpaceX has set ambitious goals for 2024, targeting an impressive 144 launches, a substantial increase from the previous year’s 98. Tracking the progress below, SpaceX has kicked off the year with six launches, all Falcon 9 missions.
2024 SpaceX Launch Overview:
- Launches So Far: 6 (Falcon 9: 6, Falcon Heavy: 0, Starship: 0)
- Non-Starlink Missions: 2
- Reused Boosters: 5
- Launch Success Rate: 100%
- Launch Rate: 3 days (Targeted for 144 launches: 2.53 days or lower)
- East Coast Launches: 4 (LC-39A: 1, SLC-41: 3)
- Gulf Coast Launches: 0 (Starbase)
- West Coast Launches: 2 (SLC-4E)
- Total Payload Mass: ~54,600 kg (Excluding classified, rideshare missions, and crew)
- Total Crew: 4 (Government: 3, Commercial: 1)
Landing Achievements:
- Total Landings: 6
- Landing Success Rate: 100%
- Ground Landings: 2 (LZ-1: 2, LZ-2: 0, LZ-4: 0)
- Droneship Landings: 4 (OCISLY: 2, JRTI: 0, ASOG: 2)
Starship Testing in 2024:
- Starship’s role in 2024 is critical, with a potential for double-digit test flights.
- The success of Starship testing is pivotal for meeting NASA’s Artemis timelines and perfecting in-space refueling.
- Frequent FAA investigations remain a challenge, but if overcome, Starship launches may occur weeks apart, accumulating valuable flight data.
Human Spaceflight Records:
- SpaceX matched its 2023 record of three human spaceflight launches.
- In 2024, SpaceX targets up to five crewed missions, including Commercial Crew missions, Axiom-3, Axiom-4, and the landmark Polaris Dawn mission featuring the first private spacewalk.
Weekly Launches from California:
- Vandenberg, historically underutilized, is poised for increased action in 2024.
- SpaceX aims for weekly launches from Vandenberg, matching Florida’s launch frequency in 2023.
- Enhanced bandwidth and more Starlink missions from California are expected.
Highlighted Upcoming Launches:
- January 18: Axiom-3 mission from Falcon 9 (B1080.5) at LC-39A, LZ-1 Landing.
Stay tuned for SpaceX’s groundbreaking ventures and a stellar 2024 journey!