SpaceX Falls Just Short of 100 Rocket Launches in 2023
SpaceX had a goal of achieving 100 rocket launches in 2023, but fell just short of the target. Despite this, the company had its busiest year yet, with numerous successful missions and booster landings.
SpaceX's Ambitious Target
At the start of 2023, SpaceX set a goal to achieve 100 Falcon rocket launches by December 31. With its current record of 60 launches in a year, the company aimed for an ambitious target. Although it surpassed its annual record in September, it looks like SpaceX will fall just short of its goal for this year.
In its busiest 12-month period since its first Falcon rocket launch in 2010, SpaceX has so far completed 90 flights using its Falcon 9 rocket and four missions using its Falcon Heavy rocket, which consists of three Falcon 9 boosters connected together.
Close, But Not Quite There
Before the end of the year, SpaceX plans to have one more Falcon Heavy rocket mission and two more Falcon 9 missions. This would bring the total number of Falcon flights in 2023 to 97. If we also count the Starship missions, which unfortunately failed soon after launch, the total increases to 99 liftoffs completed by SpaceX this year.
Despite falling short of the 100-launch target, SpaceX has made significant progress and achieved remarkable milestones throughout the year.
Landing Boosters and Reusability
SpaceX has come a long way since its first Falcon launch 13 years ago. The company's primary goal was to develop a spaceflight system that could land the booster upright after launch, allowing for reusable components for multiple missions.
In 2015, SpaceX achieved its first successful booster landing. Nowadays, the company successfully lands most of its Falcon rockets soon after launch. In fact, its recent Falcon 9 mission achieved a record 19th landing of a first-stage booster. This reusable system has allowed SpaceX to offer competitive launch rates and make space more accessible to companies and organizations aiming to send small satellites to orbit.
Upcoming Launches and Future Plans
After a short Christmas break, the SpaceX team will resume work to finish the year with three launches. Two of these launches will involve the Falcon 9, while one will utilize the Falcon Heavy.
2023 has been the busiest year for SpaceX, but with the launch calendar for 2024 already filling up and the focus shifting to the Starship rocket, next year looks to be even busier for the company.
