While US-manned missions to space have not reached the levels attained at the height of the space shuttle program, they have increased. The year 2024 might see seven planned missions launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center. The missions will transport 26 people to space, the most since 35 astronauts took flight in 2009. 

Anticipated 2024 launches include a Boeing CST-100 Starliner test flight. In addition, the long-awaited NASA Artemis program will finally get off the ground with the launch of the Orion spacecraft. The latter mission will have a four-member crew and represent a human return to the lunar region for the first time in 52 years. It’s part of a multinational initiative that seeks to place a long-term human presence on the moon.

NASA Artemis program Orion crew members will travel 1.4 million miles and loop around the lunar surface. The astronauts will demonstrate maneuvers and test critical life support systems within a spacecraft that is designed as partially reusable.