Rocket launches have traditionally required a certain delay between one and the next, so if there are say 20 per year at a given site, the assume some degree of ordered spacing between one and the next of a few weeks, though still somewhat irregular.

I have seen many references to the term "launch cadence", then was told this usage is incorrect. 

 - NASA Spaceflight: [With Block 5, SpaceX to increase launch cadence and lower prices](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/block-5-spacex-increase-launch-cadence-lower-prices/)

 - Ars Technica: [SpaceX has long talked a good game about increasing its launch cadence,](https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/04/spacex-reaches-the-promised-land-of-launching-every-two-weeks/)

 - Space News [SpaceX aims to follow a banner year with an even faster 2018 launch cadence](https://spacenews.com/spacex-aims-to-follow-a-banner-year-with-an-even-faster-2018-launch-cadence/)

 - reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge: [Launch cadence !](https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/9edd8b/launch_cadence/)

 - Quora: [How does SpaceX's launch cadence compare to competitors in the industry?](https://www.quora.com/How-does-SpaceXs-launch-cadence-compare-to-competitors-in-the-industry)

The [OED definition](https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cadence) uses references to speech or music:

> 1. A modulation or inflection of the voice. ‘the measured cadences that he employed in the Senate’

> 2. A sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase. 
> ‘the final cadences of the Prelude’

though a sub-definition of 1 does say:

> 1.3 [mass noun] Rhythm. ‘the thumping cadence of the engines’

which seems to be workable.

Likewise, from [Merriam Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cadence):

> 1a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language 

> b: the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity

> - The drill sergeant counted cadence.
> - the steady cadence of the drums

**Question:** Does the MW definition allow this usage for rocket launches? Does the OED? 

I'm not asking for synonyms (e.g. rhythm, frequency, tempo, rate) but trying to understand if I should be comfortable using the word *cadence* within the phrase *launch cadence* without feeling like I am misusing the word.