US clears Musk to build Starship launch pad at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center
SpaceX’s Starship, paired with the powerful Super Heavy booster, is designed as a heavy-lift vehicle capable of supporting national security missions and Nasa’s Artemis lunar exploration program.
The US government has granted SpaceX permission to develop a new launch pad for its Starship Super Heavy rocket at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 37 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Construction on the site has already begun, marking a significant step toward expanding Starship operations in Florida.
SpaceX’s Starship, paired with the powerful Super Heavy booster, is designed as a heavy-lift vehicle capable of supporting national security missions and Nasa’s Artemis lunar exploration program.
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With this new pad, Starship will join two other dedicated Florida launch sites, enabling more frequent and streamlined launch operations akin to airport-like efficiency.
The project reflects collaboration between SpaceX, the Department of the Air Force, Space Launch Delta 45, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which collectively completed an extensive environmental review. The review process addressed concerns related to both construction and ongoing launch activities while ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
Starship’s launch pad at SLC-37 will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure including multiple launch towers. SpaceX plans to operate a high cadence of launches, emphasising vehicle reusability with both the booster and upper stage capable of landing back at the site or on drone ships at sea.
The Super Heavy booster alone produces over 17 million pounds of thrust, more than double that of the historic Saturn V rocket, underscoring the immense power and scale of this system.
The proximity of the new pad to Kennedy Space Center, famous for Apollo and Space Shuttle missions, and the existing Space Launch Complex 39A highlights Florida’s pivotal role as a premier spaceport.
SpaceX aims to support America’s expanding space ambitions, including military, commercial, and deep space exploration missions, from this advanced facility. The first launches from the new pad could happen as soon as summer 2026, pending final approvals.
This development positions Kennedy Space Center to continue evolving as a hub for cutting-edge aerospace technology and ambitious spaceflight programs for years to come.
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