This browser does not support the Video element.
SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket carrying Ovzon 3
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida on Wednesday evening, carrying with it the Ovzon 3 mission.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - 2023 was another busy year for rocket launches and space flights from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Four astronauts were sent to the International Space Station aboard the Crew-6 Mission, Crew-5 returned to Earth after 157 days in space, SpaceX's Falcon 9 brought supplies and equipment to the ISS, and Axiom Space's Mission 2 sent four astronauts on a 10-day mission to the ISS, the second all-private astronaut mission to the ISS.
SpaceX launched hundreds of its internet-providing Starlink satellites into space. And it appears 2024 will be another busy year for Florida's launch pad.
Here's a look at the upcoming scheduled rocket launches from Florida's Kennedy Space Center. An important note to remember, rocket launches can be unexpectedly delayed – and often are – for a variety of reasons, including equipment or mechanical issues, weather, or other reasons. Still, there is something spectacular about watching a rocket hurl through the sky, through Earth's atmosphere, and into space.
ULA's Vulcan Certification Mission
United Launch Alliance is scheduled to launch its Vulcan VC2S Rocket during the early morning hours on Jan. 8, 2024, part of its first certification mission. It will carry with it the Astrobotic Peregrine commercial lunar lander, as well as Celestis Memorial Spaceflight, which includes 150 capsules containing the remains, DNA samples, and meetings from people on Earth, including Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.
- Scheduled launch date: January 8, 2024
- Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur
- Launch site: Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
- Launch time: 2:18 a.m.
Axiom Space's Axion Mission 3
This is Axiom Space's third crewed mission into space – and it's first all-European crew, including Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravci, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt. "This mission marks a new era of opportunity for countries to join the international space community and access low-Earth orbit to advance exploration and research in Microgravity," state's Axion Space's website.
- Scheduled launch date: January 17, 2024
- Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
- Launch site: Launch Complex 39A
- Launch time: 5:11 p.m.
DATE: January 29, 2024
VEHICLE: SpaceX Falcon 9
MISSION: NG-20
LAUNCH SITE: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
DATE: February 6, 2024
VEHICLE: SpaceX Falcon 9
MISSION: PACE
LAUNCH SITE: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
DATE: February 2024
VEHICLE: SpaceX Falcon 9
MISSION: IM-1
LAUNCH SITE: Kennedy Space Center
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
DATE: February 2024
VEHICLE: SpaceX Falcon 9
MISSION: USSF-124
LAUNCH SITE: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
DATE: April 2024
VEHICLE: Atlas 5
MISSION: CST-100 Starliner Crew Flight Test
LAUNCH SITE: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
DATE: April 2024
VEHICLE: SpaceX Falcon 9
MISSION: Polaris Dawn
LAUNCH SITE: Kennedy Space Center
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
DATE: April 2024
VEHICLE: Vulcan Centaur
MISSION: Dream Chaser 1
LAUNCH SITE: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
DATE: April 2024
VEHICLE: SpaceX Falcon Heavy
MISSION: GOES-U
LAUNCH SITE: Kennedy Space Center
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
DATE: June 2024
VEHICLE: SpaceX Falcon 9
MISSION: Türksat 6A
LAUNCH SITE: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
LAUNCH TIME: TBD