In 2024, Central Florida saw a record number of space launches, marking a significant year for space exploration and setting the stage for future missions.Crew 8 lifted off in March, marking the eighth SpaceX mission in the commercial crew program.On June 5, Boeing's Starliner carried Commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams into space.The Starliner encountered helium leaks and thruster issues, leaving NASA with a difficult decision.Ultimately, the Starliner spacecraft landed in the New Mexico desert empty, leaving the crew behind.NASA said having a backup plan helped make the decision not to risk the astronauts.The current plan is to have Butch and Suni return next year on a SpaceX Dragon.What was to be an eight-day mission has turned into a nearly yearlong saga.In late June, the "GOES-U" weather satellite made its way into orbit, soon providing high-definition weather imaging and data for North and South America to keep people safe.Polaris Dawn's first-ever all-commercial spacewalk took place on Sept. 10, with Jared Isaacman, mission commander, leading his team far into space to test for radiation and gain data for future deep-space missions.Crew 9 blasted off in September with one astronaut and one cosmonaut, leaving two behind to make room for Butch and Suni.Science missions were a big part of the year.In mid-October, the Europa Clipper rode on top of a Falcon Heavy and started its five-year journey to the icy moon off Jupiter.NASA wants to learn if life is present deep inside the moon's ocean beneath the outer crust.It was also a big year for the Starship in Texas, with four missions in total.SpaceX said it will attempt nearly 20 Starship launches in 2025.In November, the Space Launch System rocket stacking process started inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The rocket is set to carry a crew led by Reid Wiseman, a commander, around the moon and back ahead of humanity's return to the moon in more than a half-century.Blue Origin hopes to launch its flagship rocket, the New Glenn, before the end of the year.2025 promises to be another year of progress for the Space Coast.Bill Nelson, NASA administrator, said he is excited and energized when thinking about the future."It has always been my dream of what would happen to the Cape that is happening right now," Nelson said. "All of those old launch pads that had been abandoned, and the weeds were growing after the Apollo program was shut down." President-elect Donald Trump nominated private astronaut and billionaire businessman Jared Isaacman as the next NASA administrator.Nelson said the SLS rocket will fly and be ready to take the crew of Artemis 2 around the moon in spring 2026.
In 2024, Central Florida saw a record number of space launches, marking a significant year for space exploration and setting the stage for future missions.
Crew 8 lifted off in March, marking the eighth SpaceX mission in the commercial crew program.
NASA said having a backup plan helped make the decision not to risk the astronauts.
The current plan is to have Butch and Suni return next year on a SpaceX Dragon.
What was to be an eight-day mission has turned into a nearly yearlong saga.
In late June, the "GOES-U" weather satellite made its way into orbit, soon providing high-definition weather imaging and data for North and South America to keep people safe.
Polaris Dawn's first-ever all-commercial spacewalk took place on Sept. 10, with Jared Isaacman, mission commander, leading his team far into space to test for radiation and gain data for future deep-space missions.
Crew 9 blasted off in September with one astronaut and one cosmonaut, leaving two behind to make room for Butch and Suni.
Science missions were a big part of the year.
In mid-October, the Europa Clipper rode on top of a Falcon Heavy and started its five-year journey to the icy moon off Jupiter.
NASA wants to learn if life is present deep inside the moon's ocean beneath the outer crust.
It was also a big year for the Starship in Texas, with four missions in total.
SpaceX said it will attempt nearly 20 Starship launches in 2025.
In November, the Space Launch System rocket stacking process started inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. The rocket is set to carry a crew led by Reid Wiseman, a commander, around the moon and back ahead of humanity's return to the moon in more than a half-century.
Blue Origin hopes to launch its flagship rocket, the New Glenn, before the end of the year.
2025 promises to be another year of progress for the Space Coast.
Bill Nelson, NASA administrator, said he is excited and energized when thinking about the future.
"It has always been my dream of what would happen to the Cape that is happening right now," Nelson said. "All of those old launch pads that had been abandoned, and the weeds were growing after the Apollo program was shut down."
President-elect Donald Trump nominated private astronaut and billionaire businessman Jared Isaacman as the next NASA administrator.
Nelson said the SLS rocket will fly and be ready to take the crew of Artemis 2 around the moon in spring 2026.