Department of Defense Seeks New Home for SpaceX’s Starship Rocket Launches on the Space Coast
The Department of Defense (DoD) is embarking on a search for a new home for SpaceX’s Starship rocket launches on the Space Coast. This move comes as the DoD aims to determine the environmental impact of allowing the world’s most powerful rocket to launch from this region. Led by the U.S. Air Force, in collaboration with NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Coast Guard, the DoD has initiated an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential detriments of this project on its surroundings.
To provide detailed information about the EIS, the Air Force has launched a new website called spaceforcestarshipeis.com. While SpaceX continues to conduct test launches of the Starship and Super Heavy rocket from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, the company has faced setbacks. In 2023, two launches resulted in hardware explosions shortly after takeoff. However, the second launch saw significant improvements after major changes were made to the launch pad following the destruction caused by the first launch.
Despite these challenges, SpaceX is preparing for a third attempt at completing a suborbital test flight before the end of next month. The sheer power of the Starship has raised concerns at NASA, as SpaceX has been constructing a tower at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39-A to support future Starship flights. This launch pad is crucial for NASA as it is currently the only SpaceX launch pad capable of supporting human spaceflight.
To address this concern, SpaceX has also been constructing a second support tower at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40. This additional tower would enable human launches; however, it remains incomplete. The Space Force is eager to ensure that there are no delays in its ability to utilize the Starship rocket for its own purposes.
To determine the best course of action, the EIS is considering three options. The first option is to transition Space Launch Complex 37, currently supporting the final United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket mission this summer, for Starship launches. The second option involves constructing a new launch pad called Space Launch Complex 50, which would be located between SLC 40 and SLC 37 on undeveloped land. The final option is to maintain the status quo and take no action.
The EIS process can be lengthy, sometimes taking years to complete. SpaceX officials were concerned about this process when they were pursuing the rights to launch from Texas under the less rigorous “Environmental Assessment” outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act.
The next steps in the process involve a series of public meetings. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, at the Catherine Schweinsberg Rood Central Cocoa Library. This will be followed by meetings on Wednesday, March 6, at the Titusville Civic Center and Thursday, March 7, at the Radisson Resort at The Port in Cape Canaveral. Additionally, a virtual meeting is planned for Tuesday, March 12.
Starship is SpaceX’s ambitious project aimed at developing a fully reusable rocket to replace its Falcon family of rockets. Elon Musk envisions using this rocket to enable the settlement of Mars in the future. The Starship has the capacity to carry up to 100 passengers or over 500,000 pounds of cargo into space, making it more than three times more powerful than the Falcon Heavy.
The U.S. military is also interested in the success of Starship due to its potential for point-to-point flights on Earth. These flights could rapidly deploy cargo or even troops, making it a valuable asset for the Department of Defense. The purpose of pursuing the EIS is to advance U.S. space capabilities and provide launch and landing infrastructure in line with U.S. policy. The DoD aims to ensure the necessary capabilities for launching and inserting payloads into space, while also maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure and reducing costs.
The discussion surrounding government regulation and its potential impact on SpaceX and other commercial companies’ progress was a focal point at the recent Space Mobility Conference in Orlando. SpaceX senior advisor Gary Henry expressed the need for appropriate investment and attention at the national level to enable the company’s goals of launching hundreds of Starships from multiple launch pads in the coming years. Military members of the panel, including Air Force Col. Gabe Arrington, emphasized the importance of enabling this critical capability to be expedited by looking within their organizations.
As the DoD continues its search for a new home for SpaceX’s Starship rocket launches, it is clear that this decision will have far-reaching implications for space exploration and military operations. The EIS process will provide valuable insights into the environmental impact of such launches, ensuring that space capabilities are advanced while minimizing potential detriments.