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NASA Launch Facilities Face Capacity Crunch by 2029

6/24/2026

Summary

NASA Cites Capacity

NASA Inspector General reported on June 22 that Kennedy Space Center and Wallops Flight Facility cannot meet launch demand.
Kennedy launches are projected to rise to 268 by 2030, reaching capacity by early 2029.
Wallops launches should grow to 44 by 2030, hitting capacity by 2028.
Blue Origin expects over 50 New Glenn launches by 2030 and 120 by 2035, while NASA’s $250 million upgrade budget is far below the at-least $1 billion required.

Summary

FAA Approves Starship

The Federal Aviation Administration approved Starship launches from Launch Complex 39A in February 2026.
Launch Complex 39A will require roughly 800,000 sq ft of new infrastructure to support super-heavy rockets.
SpaceX is shifting most Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy missions from Kennedy’s historic pads to Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.
Artemis 4 will employ both Starship HLS and Blue Origin’s lunar lander, requiring separate pad modifications and a low-Earth-orbit fuel depot for Starship propellant deliveries.

Summary

NASA Funding Cuts

NASA’s launch-related infrastructure budgets fell 11 percent to 47 percent (inflation-adjusted) over five years, delaying upgrades.
Statutory funding rules block payments from commercial launch partners for NASA’s launch infrastructure.
The proposed Infrastructure Investment Fund to finance shared launch projects remains unauthorized by legislation.
Kennedy Space Center does not use the “Other Indirect Rates” for commercial users, unlike Wallops.
Current indirect cost rates are insufficient to maintain or modernize NASA’s launch infrastructure.

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NASA Cites Capacity

NASA Inspector General reported on June 22 that Kennedy Space Center and Wallops Flight Facility cannot meet launch demand.
Kennedy launches are projected to rise to 268 by 2030, reaching capacity by early 2029.
Wallops launches should grow to 44 by 2030, hitting capacity by 2028.
Blue Origin expects over 50 New Glenn launches by 2030 and 120 by 2035, while NASA’s $250 million upgrade budget is far below the at-least $1 billion required.

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