SpaceX has received a crucial green light from the US military to overhaul a historic launch facility in Florida, a move set to dramatically increase the company's launch capacity and support American national security and lunar exploration ambitions.
Military Approval for Historic Pad's Transformation
The Department of the Air Force has authorised SpaceX to redevelop Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This decision, confirmed on 20 November, follows an environmental review and permits the site to be used for construction, prelaunch activities, and flights of SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft.
According to documents reported by Florida Today, the authorisation will eventually allow for up to 76 launches and 152 landings every year from the pad, pending a final analysis by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
"Bring SLC-37 Back to Life" for Starship Era
SpaceX has already begun construction work to adapt the complex for its super-heavy lift vehicle. The company's Vice President of Launch, Kiko Dontchev, expressed clear enthusiasm on social media, posting: "So excited to bring SLC-37 back to life with Starship!!! Let’s gooooooo."
In a statement, SpaceX highlighted the strategic importance of having three launch pads for Starship in Florida. "Starship will be ready to support America’s national security and Artemis goals as the world’s premiere spaceport continues to evolve to enable airport-like operations," the company stated.
The US Air Force's record of decision underscored that Starship operations at Cape Canaveral will focus on national security requirements, help the US Space Force meet future missions, and support a projected rapid increase in civilian launch needs.
Surge in Launch Traffic Forecast for Next Decade
This expansion comes as US authorities predict a massive rise in space launch activity. A recent FAA forecast estimates a significant jump from 183 operations in 2025 to approximately 566 operations by 2034 on its high-end prediction.
This anticipated surge is driven by diverse missions including:
- Satellite assembly and maintenance
- Mars exploration programmes
- The growing space tourism sector
SpaceX's launch tempo is already intense. The company was scheduled to conduct its 103rd orbital launch of 2025 on Tuesday 2 December, sending a Falcon 9 rocket with Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, weather permitting.
The development at SLC-37 is not the only Starship infrastructure project underway in Florida. Nearby, at the Kennedy Space Center, another launch complex is being built for the reusable spacecraft. Colonel Brian Chatman, commander of Space Launch Delta 45, indicated that Starship could arrive at Kennedy for launches by early to mid-2026, with the range prepared to support it.
This multi-pad strategy solidifies Florida's Space Coast as the central hub for SpaceX's most ambitious launch campaigns, directly supporting both government and commercial spaceflight goals for the coming decade.
