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Fast forward to today, and the industry has experienced a seismic shift. The annual number of rocket launches now rivals the number of flights out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a major transportation hub serving millions of passengers annually. This comparison illustrates how the industry has matured, evolving from rare, experimental launches to a routine, high-volume operation comparable to commercial air travel.
This shift—from Napa to LAX—symbolizes an incredible transformation in capabilities, infrastructure, and market confidence. What once was a novelty or a specialized endeavor has become a mainstream activity with a cadence approaching that of commercial aviation, making space more accessible and integrated into the fabric of global transportation networks.