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Over 70 licensed launch facilities now operate globally — 20 commissioned since 2020.
| Attribute | Kennedy Space Center 🇺🇸 United States Active · Last updated 2026-06-01Trust: Agency-primaryⓘ Last verified Remove × | Vandenberg Space Force Base 🇺🇸 United States Active · Last updated 2026-06-01Trust: Agency-primaryⓘ Last verified Remove × |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | NASA | United States Space Force |
| Ownership | Government | Military |
| Region | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Launch pads | 2 active (LC-39A, LC-39B)as of [1] | 3 active (SLC-4E Falcon 9, SLC-6 standby, SLC-2W Firefly)as of [1] ↑ Most pads |
| Annual launches | ~40as of [1]Combined NASA + SpaceX cadence from LC-39A and LC-39B ↑ Most active | ~30as of [1]Primarily polar/SSO missions from Vandenberg; predominantly SpaceX |
| Max payload (LEO) | 63,800 kg to LEO (Falcon Heavy expendable)as of [2] | 15,600 kg to polar orbit (Falcon 9 Block 5)as of [2] ↑ Highest capacity |
| First operational launch | 1967-11-09as of [1]SA-501 Apollo 4 — first Saturn V launch from LC-39A | 1958-12-16as of [1]Thor-Able 1 — first orbital attempt from Vandenberg (failed); first success 1959-02-28 |
| Regulatory regime | NASA range safety + FAA-AST Part 450 for commercial users; co-managed with Eastern Range | U.S. Space Force Western Range + FAA-AST Part 450 for commercial users |
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