PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. – In the past ten years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of space launches from Space Launch Delta 45(SDL45) at the Eastern Range (ER).

In 2008, seven missions were launched from the ER. Now, in just the first six months of 2022, 27 missions have been launched, establishing an unprecedented launch pace. This increase is due to the rise of new launch providers, rising interest in commercial launches, and decreasing costs to launch from the ER.

“Building a robust U.S, commercial launch industry benefits everyone,” said Byron Whiteman, Space Systems Command delta planning engineer. “Competition increases the launch rate, provides backup launch capability, and incentivizes companies to innovate to stay competitive. In turn, this drives down prices and increases our overall space capabilities.”

In the end, this allows the Space Force and taxpayers to purchase more launch capability with less funding.

The influx of new launch partners to the ER will help develop and sustain resilient space capabilities that the nation can depend on while efficiently delivering assured access to space, countering our near-peer adversary’s space capabilities.

Since Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is the prime launch site in the U.S., new commercial launch companies are frequently seeking available launch property at CCSFS.

New launch partners must finish several onboarding procedures before they may begin launching on the ER.

The new customer process can be broken down into five steps: