SpaceX is shifting Launch Complex 39A away from Falcon 9 toward Starship, and the world’s busiest rocket era may be changing

SpaceX is shifting its focus from Falcon 9 to Starship, a move reflected in changes to its launch infrastructure. The company announced plans to reduce Falcon 9 launches to between 140 and 145 in 2026, down from 165 in the previous year, as it prioritizes Starship development for Moon and Mars missions. Falcon 9 remains critical for U.S. crew flights and Pentagon missions, but SpaceX is redirecting resources toward its larger rocket. Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is being repurposed for Starship operations, no longer hosting Falcon 9 flights except for occasional Falcon Heavy launches. SpaceX has also scaled back activity at Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral, reducing the need for two drone ships on the East Coast. This transition aligns with SpaceX’s goal of consolidating its launch capabilities for Starship, which requires different infrastructure. Meanwhile, SpaceX is increasing launch frequency at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, where over half of 2025 launches have originated so far. The base’s ability to support rapid Falcon 9 launches—every three or four days—makes it ideal for high-cadence operations. This shift marks a significant change for Vandenberg, which hosted only one orbital-class launch in 2020 but is now on track to become SpaceX’s most active site. The transition reflects SpaceX’s long-term strategy to phase out Falcon 9 as Starship becomes operational. While the company maintains its reliability and dominance in the market, the shift to Starship is expected to redefine its launch cadence and infrastructure priorities. Florida’s Space Coast remains a key hub, but Vandenberg is emerging as the primary launch site for near-term missions.