SpaceX has asked American regulators for a huge increase in Starship flights. The company wants to launch the giant rocket up to 456 times a year from Starbase in Texas. It also wants approval for 912 landings.
The jump from 25 to 456 launches a year shows how fast SpaceX wants to move. No rocket in history has ever flown that often. Even SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 flies only a few hundred times a year across all its launch sites.
The request was filed with the Federal Aviation Administration on 14 October 2026. Right now, SpaceX is only allowed 25 Starship flights a year from the site. Landings are limited to 50 a year.
Landings are limited to 50 a year.
Why so many flights
Musk has set a goal of hourly Starship flights within two or three years. The company needs the higher limit to reach that pace. Starship has only flown three times this year in its newest version.
Each flight needs two landings because both the booster and the upper stage return to Earth separately. That is why the landing limit is double the launch limit.
Big plans, big questions
SpaceX wants Starship to carry thousands of tonnes of cargo to Mars one day. The company also needs frequent flights to build its Starlink satellite network and support NASA’s Moon missions.
Regulators will review the environmental impact before deciding. Local groups have raised concerns about noise and wildlife in the past. The review process could take many months.
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