U.S. Space Force’s Eastern Range breaks records with 93 space launches in 2024 - Defence Industry Europe

By Defence Industry Europe
The Eastern Range, managed by Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45), has cemented its status as the world’s busiest spaceport in 2024. Based at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the team successfully facilitated 93 launches, delivering 1,389 orbital assets into space.

This accomplishment marked the second consecutive year the U.S. broke the world record for annual space launches, surpassing the 2023 record of 108 launches. The previous record, held by the Soviet Union since 1982, underscored the growing pace of global space operations.
Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen, director of the Eastern Range, commended the collaboration between SLD 45 and commercial launch providers. She highlighted the team’s commitment to securing reliable space access for national defence, international partners, and commercial ventures.
Among the year’s highlights was the historic Crew-9 mission on 28 September 2024, which launched Col. Nick Hague as the first United States Space Force Guardian into space. Accompanied by Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, Hague’s mission expanded to support the safe return of astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS).

SLD 45 also ensured the success of four National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions, which bolstered U.S. defence capabilities. These launches included payloads critical to missile detection, intelligence gathering, and global vigilance. One standout mission, the Rapid Response Trailblazer on 16 December 2024, demonstrated the ability to adapt swiftly to warfighter needs, deploying a GPS III Space Vehicle (SV-07) in record time.
As operations ramp up, the Eastern Range is preparing for even greater activity in 2025. Panzenhagen projected an increased launch cadence, underscoring the U.S.’s role as the “world’s premier gateway to space.”