SpaceX’s plans to launch its Starship mega-rocket multiple times per year from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station have raised concerns among its competitors. Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance have submitted comments to regulators, asking for safeguards to minimize disruptions to other launch providers in the area. Blue Origin even suggested limiting Starship operations to specific times and granting other providers the right of first refusal for conflicting launches.
However, SpaceX’s ambitions may extend even further with plans to launch Starship from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station up to 76 times per year. This would mean a potential total of 120 launches per year within a six-mile area on the Florida coast. The U.S. Space Force is currently preparing a draft environmental assessment that will reveal SpaceX’s final anticipated launch cadence, which is subject to change based on the development of Starship and environmental factors.
SLC-37 is a historic launch pad that previously housed NASA’s Saturn rocket and United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV series rockets. The Space Force is conducting an environmental impact statement for Starship launches from this pad, considering the option of constructing an entirely new launch pad designated as SLC-50. Construction for both alternatives would involve significant infrastructure, including deluge ponds, fuel tanks, and a catch tower.
In addition to the Florida launch sites, SpaceX already has a Starship launch tower at its Starbase facility in Texas, with another under construction. Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, has ambitious plans for Starship, envisioning multiple launches per day and delivering large payloads to low Earth orbit and beyond. The company also aims to ramp up its manufacturing capabilities to produce one Starship second stage per day.
Public comments on the scope of the launch plans are being considered, with Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance expressing concerns about the high flight rate and its impact on other launch providers in the area. Both companies highlighted the potential disruptions and environmental impacts of such a large number of launches. They also proposed measures to mitigate these effects, including indemnifying third parties for losses caused by Starship operations.
Overall, SpaceX’s plans for multiple launch sites and a high launch cadence have stirred up competition and concerns among its rivals. The company’s ambitious goals for Starship are driving its expansion into various locations, but regulatory and environmental considerations will play a crucial role in determining the feasibility and impact of these plans.