Record-Breaking Launches and Starship Progress

After setting a record with 98 launches in 2023, SpaceX has dramatically surpassed expectations by conducting an astonishing 131 orbital missions in 2024 alone—accounting for over half of all global launches this year! The foundation of this remarkable feat lies in the Falcon 9 rocket, which executed 128 of those missions, alongside two launches from the Falcon Heavy.

The highly publicized Starship also made headlines, completing four suborbital test flights throughout the year. Notably, the latter three flights showcased an extraordinary milestone where both the Super Heavy booster and Starship's upper stage successfully withstood reentry and landed intact. Particularly impressive was Flight 5, where the Super Heavy was caught by the launch tower's robotic "chopstick" arms—a demonstration that seemed to leap straight from the pages of science fiction.

SpaceX is keenly aware of the clock ticking towards NASA's Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for mid-2027, which will utilize Starship as its crewed lunar lander. Beyond lunar missions, SpaceX sees Starship’s revolutionary reusability as a cornerstone for making Mars colonization feasible—a long-held ambition of Musk himself.

Innovative Developments in Starlink

This year has also been monumental for SpaceX's Starlink project, designed to provide high-speed broadband via a network of low Earth orbit satellites. Nearly 70% of the Falcon 9 missions in 2024 focused on enhancing this constellation—now comprising over 6,800 satellites.

Among these, approximately 350 satellites are capable of delivering direct internet service to smartphones, a groundbreaking innovation highlighted by Musk at the successful launch on December 4. He announced the completion of the first Starlink satellite constellation directly serving cell phones, promising internet access in remote areas, which is a game-changer for connectivity in underserved regions. Although current bandwidth is around 10 Mbps, future advancements will undoubtedly increase capacity significantly.

Political Connections and Influence

In a noteworthy turn of events, Musk's relationship with political circles has deepened. Having invested about $250 million to support President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, Musk is now reportedly close to Trump, co-leading an advisory committee aimed at slashing regulations and reducing government spending. With SpaceX already positioned as a major player in U.S. aerospace and national security, this new partnership could further amplify the company’s influence in regulatory discussions.

As 2024 draws to a close, SpaceX's achievements have not only transformed spaceflight but have also reshaped the landscape of global communication and political engagement. With a vision that stretches far beyond the stars, SpaceX continues to be at the forefront of innovation, paving the way for a future where humanity's presence extends across the solar system and beyond.