There were few places on Earth that launched rockets to outer space at the start of the U.S. and Russian space programs. There are more now.

We've documented those space launch facilities that have launched rockets with payloads that achieved orbit or sent payloads beyond Earth. This eliminates many launch facilities that only launch sub-orbital sounding rockets. It also eliminates ballistic missiles with warheads.

Also not included are the launches from submarines, which were rare.

There are some launch facilities that primarily conduct suborbital launches, but have launched one or more payloads into orbit, and are included here. These are ones we know about:

• Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC), Alaska
• Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii
• Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia

Also, the landing of Boeing's Starliner at the White Sands Space Harbor on September 6, 2024 placed that facility in the news, but there has never been an orbital launch from there. So, White Sands doesn't appear in our list.