In 2024, the United States Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 achieved a significant milestone by facilitating 93 successful rocket launches from the Florida coast, surpassing the previous year’s total of 74 launches.
This remarkable achievement highlights the growing capabilities and operational readiness of the Space Force. Space Launch Delta 45, a unit stationed at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida, manages space launch operations from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
The unit’s efforts resulted in the launch of 1,389 orbital assets, cementing its reputation as the world’s busiest spaceport in 2024. Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen, the Eastern Range director, credits the dedication of her team and their collaboration with commercial launch service providers, stating, “We have an outstanding team of professionals dedicated to meeting our nation’s space access needs.”
The previous year saw 88 missions carried out by SpaceX, with 62 launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and 26 from Kennedy Space Center. United Launch Alliance contributed five additional missions, bringing the total to a record-setting 93.
A particularly noteworthy mission was SpaceX’s Crew-9 launch on September 28, 2024. This mission marked the first human spaceflight from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral and included NASA astronaut Nick Hague, the first active U.S. Space Force Guardian to journey into space since the branch’s formation in 2019.
Alongside operations on the Eastern Range, the Space Force oversees the Western Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base. In 2024, SpaceX executed 46 missions from this location, in addition to four test flights of the next-generation Starship vehicle from the Starbase site in South Texas, where they tested the rocket’s reusability.
To handle the increased frequency of launches, Space Launch Delta 45 and SpaceX implemented innovative processes to minimize turnaround times, utilizing SpaceX’s automated flight safety technologies to streamline pre-launch operations. General Panzenhagen has expressed readiness for an even higher launch cadence in 2025, indicating the unit’s commitment to maintaining strategic access to space.
Looking ahead, Space Launch Delta 45 is preparing for significant missions in 2025, including the debut of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket, both pivotal in national security efforts.
The record-setting achievements of Space Launch Delta 45 in 2024 underscore its vital role in the United States’ space endeavors, emphasizing its commitment to innovation and partnership with commercial entities. As plans for 2025 take shape, the unit aims to further solidify its status as a key player in orbit access and national security missions.
Source: Space
