321 Launch: Space Coast Roundup — Blue Origin Hearing, 2025 Launch Record, L3Harris Win & New Habitat Plans

321 Launch: Space news you may have missed this week (Jan. 5)

Here's a concise roundup of key developments on Florida's Space Coast: a public hearing on Blue Origin's wastewater permit, a look ahead to major 2026 launches, a record-setting 2025 launch year, a major defense satellite contract, and a new expandable habitat concept coming to Kennedy Space Center.

Public Hearing Scheduled for Blue Origin Wastewater Permit

After mounting community opposition, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting on Blue Origin's application to renew an industrial wastewater permit for its Rocket Park manufacturing campus on northern Merritt Island. The hearing is set for Jan. 30, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Brevard County UF/IFAS Extension Building, 3695 Lake Drive in unincorporated west Cocoa.

Big Launches Planned for 2026

NASA, SpaceX and Blue Origin are preparing a slate of landmark missions and launches in 2026. Following a busy 2025 that included crewed flights, science missions and Blue Origin’s New Glenn first booster landing, the Space Coast is expected to remain a hub of activity as the region’s industrial footprint and skyline continue to evolve.

2025: A Record Year — 109 Orbital Launches

Florida’s Space Coast set a new annual launch record in 2025 when an unprecedented 109 orbital rockets lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX accounted for 101 of those launches, largely with Falcon 9 vehicles, underscoring the contractor’s dominant role in the state’s launch cadence.

SpaceX Continues Activity Into 2026

After the final 2025 launches concluded in December, SpaceX planned to resume Falcon 9 operations in early 2026, keeping the momentum of frequent launches going at Cape Canaveral.

L3Harris Wins Major Space Development Agency Contract

Defense contractor L3Harris Technologies secured a Space Development Agency contract valued at up to $843 million to build 18 infrared missile-tracking satellites. Integration and testing work will take place at the company’s Palm Bay campus. L3Harris’ previously discreet $100 million Building 31 facility off Palm Bay Road is reported to be in full production as related contracts roll out for components of a proposed missile defense architecture described in reporting as the so-called "Golden Dome" system.

Starlink 6-88 Recap

SpaceX launched the Starlink 6-88 mission at 1:48 a.m. on Jan. 4 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission added another tranche of broadband satellites to the company’s growing constellation in low Earth orbit.

Max Space Unveils Thunderbird Station Concept

Max Space, which is establishing manufacturing at Exploration Park adjacent to Kennedy Space Center, revealed plans for Thunderbird Station, an expandable habitat concept built from Kevlar-like, textile materials. Unlike rigid metal modules that are launched and assembled, Thunderbird Station emphasizes flexible, deployable architecture designed for low Earth orbit, with future ambitions tied to lunar and Mars support concepts.

For continued coverage of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. To support this reporting, consider subscribing.

Rick Neale is a space reporter at Florida Today and has covered the industry since 2004. Contact: Rneale@floridatoday.com • Twitter/X: @RickNeale1