SpaceX: Building of Starship launch site in Florida in progress

SpaceX announced on Monday that construction has begun on Space Complex 37 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The site will host missions for the SpaceX Starship, featuring the Super Heavy boosterthe largest rocket in the worldand the Starship spacecraft.

No official schedule has been released for the completion of the project or the start of Starship launches at what SpaceX describes as the "world's premier spaceport." In a social media post, SpaceX confirmed the start of construction and highlighted plans to support national security and NASA's Artemis program with three launch pads in Florida.

Starship is designed to transport humans to the Moon as part of NASA's Artemis initiative and to support future crewed missions to Mars. Air Force officials have given final approval for the construction, including environmental mitigation measures. An additional study will evaluate the impact of up to 76 launches and 152 booster landings per year on Florida's airspace.

Launch Complex 37 has a historic legacy, originally serving Apollo moon missions in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its launch pad 37B was later used for Boeing's Delta rocket program for over 20 years, concluding operations in late 2024. Initially, the Air Force planned to decommission the site, but SpaceXs new lease ensures it remains a key facility in the nation's space activities. SpaceX began the approval process for the redevelopment of Launch Complex 37 two years ago, receiving final authorization from the Department of the Air Force this week.

The project has sparked mixed reactions among local residents. Some have voiced concerns about the safety risks posed by heavy launches near their homes. Residents near the Indian River, such as Charlene Melcher, expressed fears about potential damage from Super Heavy rockets. These concerns are heightened following a recent booster explosion during testing in Texas.

Originally, Starship launches were planned for Launch Complex 39, but the location was shifted to Complex 37 to reduce the impact on nearby communities. The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed up to 44 Starship launches annually, which would affect local airspace, maritime activity, and other regional operations for approximately 61 days each year.

Author: Sophia Brooks