SpaceX seeks to seize Florida launch site from rival ULA

SpaceX is in active negotiations for a launch site at Cape Canaveral in Florida, competing with its main rival, United Launch Alliance (ULA).

After the last flight of ULA's Delta IV Heavy rocket was completed, one of the largest launch pads at Cape Canaveral is now free. SpaceX plans to upgrade it to launch its Starship launch vehicle. In the near future, SpaceX plans to build a second Starship launch tower at the company's Starbase test site in Cameron County, Texas. LC-39A also has a partially constructed launch tower, and now SpaceX has set its sights on SLC-37.

The environmental review process has already begun, and the company plans to survey the local community at meetings in March. These steps come ahead of further environmental impact studies that will assess the possible impacts of Starship launches at the site.

If SpaceX receives approval to use the site, they plan to modify the existing infrastructure to support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations. However, if this does not happen, SpaceX is considering building its Space Launch Complex 50 launch pad from scratch.

SpaceX is developing a Starship for lunar missions as part of NASA's Artemis programme. To achieve this goal, dozens of tanker flights are required to refuel Starship in Earth orbit. In parallel, SpaceX plans to build additional launch sites to support its ambitious plans.

Source: Ars Technica