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The U.S. Space Force, in collaboration with SpaceX, is gearing up to undertake an environmental study that could pave the way for Starship launches from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, near the NASA Kennedy Space Center. The U.S. Department of the Air Force, which encompasses the Space Force, has unveiled plans to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The focal point of the study is the potential conversion of Space Launch Complex (SLC) 37 at Cape Canaveral into a dedicated Starship launch complex that includes an orbital launch tower, similar to SpaceX’s Starbase Texas site. According to information provided on a newly launched Department of the Air Force website, SpaceX proposes to “modify, reuse, or demolish the existing SLC-37 infrastructure to support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations.” If approved SpaceX would build a Starship launch tower to support deployment of U.S. national security payloads.

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The Department of the Air Force says it will gather public input and discuss the scope of the EIS. It has scheduled three public meetings at nearby locations, including: Cocoa on March 5, Titusville on March 6, and with Cape Canaveral residents on March 7, all from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. Additionally, a virtual meeting is slated for March 12 where people from across the U.S. could participate. Visit the official website for more information: Space Force Starship EIS

These public meetings mark the initial phase of the EIS process, which is expected to span more than a year and a half and they aim to decide whether SpaceX can build a launch tower at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s SLC-37 by the end of the year 2025. 

Currently, SLC-37 is being used by United Launch Alliance (ULA) for Delta 4 Heavy missions, however, the rocket is slated for retirement as soon as March. There are no known plans by ULA to continue utilizing the site but if the location is not available, the EIS will explore an alternative Starship launchpad option, which involves the potential construction of a new launch complex designated SLC-50 specifically for Starship missions from Florida’s coast. “SpaceX would construct infrastructure to support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations on a site that is currently undeveloped. SLC-50 would become a new SLC between SLC-40 and SLC-37,” the proposal states.

If the environmental study goes well and SpaceX obtains approval, the company would operate two Starship launch sites in Florida. SpaceX is already in the process of building a Starship launch tower at the NASA Kennedy Space Center historic launch Pad-39A – the same location from where astronauts lifted off to the moon during the 1969 Apollo mission. The company also plans to build another Starship launch tower at the Starbase site in Boca Chica Beach, Texas. 

Author’s note: Thanks for reading Cosmic Chronicles. Write your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have story suggestions or feedback, Direct Message me on social media 𝕏: Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo @JaneidyEve. Read the most recent stories featured below. Thank You.