Space Week Roundup — Florida's Space Coast Tops 101 Launches; Starship Clears Key Hurdle

Florida's Space Coast has surged past expectations with 101 recorded orbital launches through the end of November, eclipsing the previous annual record of 93. This week’s roundup highlights that milestone and other major developments from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Launch Count Milestone

The Space Coast’s tally of 101 orbital launches through November has already bested the former annual record of 93. Observers are watching how far the final total will climb by the end of 2025.

Launch Recap: Falcon 9 — Starlink 6-95

A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral on Tuesday, Dec. 2, carrying the Starlink 6-95 mission. Live updates followed the event as the rocket placed another batch of Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit.

Weather Scrub And Next Attempt

SpaceX scrubbed a planned Dec. 7 launch because of poor weather across the Space Coast. Officials set the next opportunity for no earlier than 4:14 p.m. ET on Dec. 8.

Starship Progress

SpaceX won a key environmental approval from the U.S. Air Force to develop Starship–Super Heavy launch and landing operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Space Launch Delta 45 commander Col. Brian Chatman said a landmark Starship attempt from nearby NASA Kennedy Space Center could occur in early– to mid-2026, pending further clearances and testing.

Russian Launch Pad Damage, Soyuz Success

A Russian pad used for crewed missions to the International Space Station was reported damaged and requires repairs before it can support additional launches. Despite that, a Soyuz MS-28 mission successfully delivered three crew members to the ISS after its Thanksgiving Day liftoff.

Interstellar Visitor: 3I/ATLAS

Fans of unusual celestial visitors are tracking 3I/ATLAS as it approaches its nearest point to Earth in December. The object has captured public interest and scientific attention alike.

Blue Origin Wastewater Permit Controversy

The Brevard County Commission and advocates for the Save Our Indian River Lagoon program are pushing for a public hearing before the state issues a draft permit to Blue Origin. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s draft would allow Blue Origin to discharge up to 490,000 gallons per day of industrial wastewater into an on-site stormwater pond that drains to the ecologically stressed Indian River Lagoon.

Goddard Downsizing Could Ripple To Florida

A union representing engineers, scientists and technicians at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center warns that planned building closures and workforce reductions at the Greenbelt, Maryland campus could affect partner organizations — including Kennedy Space Center — that rely on Goddard’s work.

Lawsuit Over 2020 Runway Crash

Space Florida sued a West Palm Beach aerodynamic testing company after a 2020 test-vehicle incident damaged an electrical transformer at Kennedy Space Center’s former shuttle runway. Officials said a bird strike caused the vehicle to exit the runway and strike the NASA-owned transformer, resulting in $561,595 in repair and restoration costs; no injuries were reported.

Bennu Sample Science

More than two years after samples from the carbon-rich asteroid Bennu were returned to Earth, researchers continue to analyze the material. Findings from those rocks are shedding light on how asteroid-delivered organics may have contributed to the emergence of life on early Earth.

How to Follow: For ongoing coverage from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space or sign up for the weekly Space newsletter.

Reporter: Rick Neale, Space Reporter, FLORIDA TODAY. Contact: Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1