Brig. Gen. Douglas Schiess, director of the Eastern Range at Patrick Air Force Base, said the range is preparing to launch 40 rockets in 2020, Space News reported Wednesday.
The Florida-based range will require the help of commercial launch service providers to reach the of 48 launches yearly, said Schiess, who also commands the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing. Schiess said he expects 2019 to end with a total of 30 launches at the range; however, the 45th Space Wing faces chances of some delays.
The range would have to change its infrastructure and administrative approaches to pursue more launches and streamline operations, the director said. A new scheduling system would better help launch providers identify optimal lift-off times, Schiess noted.
