SpaceX Wants to Launch Rockets Weekly to Achieve Elon Musk's Goal of Having 52 Missions in 2022

NASA safety panel said Elon Musk's commercial rocket business SpaceX aims to conduct 52 flights in 2022.

NASA's principal human spaceflight partner is SpaceX, The Verge said. With its Crew Dragon spacecraft, the firm transports NASA astronauts and supplies to and from the International Space Station.

SpaceX is constructing a next-generation rocket system named Starship for NASA's Artemis program, which will land humans on the Moon's surface.

(Photo: Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images)
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - FEBRUARY 28: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen after being raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Demo-1 mission, February 28 2019 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Demo-1 mission will be the first launch of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft and space system designed for humans as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission, currently targeted for a 2:49 am launch on March 2, will serve as an end-to-end test of the system's capabilities.

SpaceX Eyes Launching 52 Rockets By End of 2022

CNBC said Sandra Magnus, a former NASA astronaut, was a panel member at the discussion between SpaceX and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

During their talk, she verified that SpaceX plans to launch 52 rockets by the end of 2022, calling the independent space company's aim an "incredible pace."

While meeting the target would be admirable, NASA's ASAP panel cautioned against the drawbacks of such a crowded schedule. Both NASA and SpaceX will have to ensure that NASA missions receive the appropriate attention and priority," Magnus said. She added that the right resources are brought to bear to keep that pace at a safe measure.

It's unclear whether the future weekly launches would include test flights of SpaceX's Starship prototype rockets. Elon Musk's space agency and NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel have yet to comment on the sorts of SpaceX flights.

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Aside from NASA, SpaceX has several other clients. It launches satellites for other businesses, overseas clients, and the Department of Defense regularly. However, this year, most of SpaceX's missions will be for the company itself.

The corporation is now constructing a huge satellite constellation known as Starlink, which requires launching hundreds of satellites into low- to medium-Earth orbit to enable global broadband Internet access. SpaceX has been launching these satellites in groups of 50 to 60 spacecraft every couple of weeks.

Launch Goal Remains Uncertain Due to Several Factors

Spaceflight schedules are constantly changing, Business Insider said. So SpaceX's 52-launch goal isn't certain. Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, stated that the business aimed for 48 launches in 2021 but only achieved 31.

SpaceX has already flown three missions this year. In addition, there are presently 1,469 active Starlink satellites, with 272 on their way to operational orbits.

Due to the faster speed of light in vacuum and shorter trips than subsea cables, Musk stated in July 2021 that laser connections in space can cut long-distance delays by up to 50%.

According to a recent study, SpaceX's satellite internet business currently has over 145,000 members in 25 countries across the world. In addition, there are presently 1,469 active Starlink satellites, with 272 on their way to operational orbits.