Get ready for lift-off, because SpaceX has just achieved a remarkable milestone with its 80th launch of the year from the iconic Space Coast! This stunning achievement took place at the crack of dawn on Sunday, as the Falcon 9 rocket soared into the sky carrying 28 more Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 40 at precisely 6:53 a.m.

This launch is not just another tick on the calendar; it's part of a momentum that could see the Space Coast smash its previous annual launch record, potentially exceeding a jaw-dropping 100 launches in 2024!

The Falcon 9's first-stage booster made its impressive 11th flight, successfully landing on the droneship, 'A Shortfall of Gravitas,' positioned in the Atlantic—a testament to SpaceX's unparalleled recovery technology.

Out of the 80 launches so far this year, SpaceX has been the driving force behind 76 of them, with the United Launch Alliance (ULA) contributing with three launches using their Vulcan and Atlas V rockets, and Blue Origin making a splash with its first-ever New Glenn mission earlier in January.

Of those impressive launches, 60 took off from Space Coast's main three pads—SLC 40, SLC 41, and LC 36—while the revered Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A has hosted 20 launches.

But hold onto your rockets! The next launch is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:32 a.m., sending up three crucial space weather satellites from NASA and NOAA. And don't blink, because Thursday could bring even more excitement with simultaneous launches: SpaceX's Falcon 9 embarking on another Starlink mission and ULA's Atlas V preparing to launch Amazon's Project Kuiper satellites.

Looking ahead, Blue Origin is also gearing up for its second-ever New Glenn flight, aiming to send Mars-bound satellites for NASA by the end of the month.

With a record-breaking 93 launches in 2024 (88 by SpaceX and 5 by ULA), the future looks bright for the Space Coast! The Federal Aviation Administration has given the green light for SpaceX to ramp up Falcon 9 launches to as many as 120 from Cape Canaveral, raising its previous limit from 50. Meanwhile, ULA aspires to reach 24 launches yearly and Blue Origin sets its sights on 12.

Another thrilling prospect looms in 2026, as the Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 prepares for a potential 156 launches! And as SpaceX explores new Starship launch sites on the Space Coast, we might witness an added 120 launches on top of their existing Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations.

Strap in for an exhilarating journey, because the Space Coast is not just launching rockets; it's launching into the future of space exploration!