SpaceX established a new annual orbital launch record originating from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California during 2025. This operational acceleration followed a significant regulatory decision by the Department of the Air Force, which sanctioned a substantial increase in the base's launch frequency. The revised mandate effectively doubled the previous operational ceiling, permitting up to 100 missions per year, a profound endorsement of commercial launch reliability.
The milestone was officially surpassed on October 3, 2025, when a Falcon 9 rocket successfully deployed 28 Starlink satellites, pushing the total mission count past the former annual limit. This surge in activity is largely driven by the sustained deployment schedule for the Starlink constellation, alongside a growing manifest of critical government payloads requiring dependable access to space. SpaceX's ability to maintain this high cadence is fundamentally linked to the operational efficiencies gained through its reusable rocket technology, which minimizes turnaround times between flights.
The increased allowance is seen as a necessary framework to accommodate growing demand for responsive space capabilities, reflecting a broader trend where commercial entities are becoming indispensable partners in national security objectives. Furthermore, infrastructure upgrades at Vandenberg underscore a long-term commitment to the site. Plans are currently underway for SpaceX to modify Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) to support future Falcon Heavy missions by 2027, signaling a strategic expansion of capabilities at the key West Coast gateway.