SpaceX has received approval to build two Starship launch pads at NASA’s Cape Canaveral

SpaceX said Monday it has received approval to build two launch pads at Cape Canaveral Space Force’s Space Launch Complex 37 in Florida. These platforms are designed to launch from heavier rockets such as SpaceX’s massive rocket, Starship. SpaceX’s Starship can produce more than 16 million pounds of thrust from its reusable Super Heavy first stage rockets. By contrast, NASA’s Space Launch System is capable of propelling approximately 8.8 million pounds.

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The two launch pads join the SpaceX platform Existing launch pad At Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39-A, which was designed to support the famous Apollo program.

“With three launch pads in Florida, Starship will be ready to support U.S. national security and Artemis goals as the world’s first spaceport continues to evolve to enable airport-like operations,” SpaceX said Monday in a statement. Share on X. The company also announced that construction work has already begun on the two new launch pads.

A decision that took two years

SpaceX has been waiting nearly two years for regulatory approval to build its own launch pads at Space Launch Complex 37. During that time, SpaceX has had to field several launch pads Public hearings and investigations to ensure that launching the spacecraft will not pose a threat to native fauna or plants.

Once completed, the two new launch pads will be able to host approximately 76 Starship missions and 152 landings per year, with an additional 44 launches and 88 additional landings from the launch pad at SpaceX’s Kennedy Space Center.

One of the key questions for these launch pads is how they might impact domestic travel, specifically in relation to commercial flights.

According to regulatory filings, 120 launches and 240 landings could delay thousands of commercial flights annually. The Air Force plans to reevaluate airspace concerns before giving final approval to launch the spacecraft.