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SpaceX has been granted approval to build two launch pads at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 37 in Florida, the company said Monday. These pads are built for launches from heavier rockets like SpaceX's megarocket, Starship. SpaceX's Starship can produce more than 16 million pounds of thrust from its Super Heavy reusable first stage rockets. By contrast, NASA's Space Launch System is capable of approximately 8.8 million pounds of thrust.
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The two launch pads join SpaceX's existing launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-A, which was designed to support the iconic Apollo program.
"With three launch pads in Florida, Starship will be ready to support America's national security and Artemis goals as the world's premiere spaceport continues to evolve to enable airport-like operations," SpaceX said Monday in a post on X. The company also announced that construction has already begun on the two new launch pads.
A decision two years in the making
SpaceX has been waiting almost two years for regulatory approval to build its launch pads at Space Launch Complex 37. During that time, SpaceX had to field several public hearings and investigations to ensure that the Starship launches wouldn't pose a threat to the local fauna or flora.
Once completed, the two new launch pads will be able to host approximately 76 Starship missions and 152 landings per year, with 44 additional launches and 88 additional landings from SpaceX's Kennedy Space Center launch pad.
One of the major questions for these launch pads is how they could impact local travel, namely in terms of commercial airline flights.
According to regulatory filings, 120 launches and 240 landings could cause delays for thousands of commercial airline flights annually. The Air Force plans to reassess airspace concerns before giving final approval for Starship launches.
