EXCLUSIVE: SpaceX wants to launch up to 120 times a year from Florida – and competitors aren't happy about it
How many launches per year does SpaceX plan from Kennedy Space Center?
SpaceX plans to launch its Starship mega-rocket up to 44 times per year from NASA's Kennedy Space Center1. Additionally, the company has plans for a second launch pad at Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where they aim to launch Starship up to 76 times per year1. This could lead to a combined total of up to 120 launches per year within a six-mile area on the Florida coast.
What concerns did Blue Origin and ULA express about SpaceX's plans?
Blue Origin and ULA expressed concerns about the environmental impacts and potential disruptions to other launch operations caused by SpaceX's high flight rate of Starship launches from two launch sites in close proximity. They suggested mitigating factors, such as requiring SpaceX to indemnify third parties for losses caused by Starship operations, including commercial disruptions.
What is the proposed launch frequency from SLC-37 for Starship?
SpaceX plans to launch Starship from SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station up to 76 times per year. Combined with the proposed 44 launches per year from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A, SpaceX aims to launch its next-gen rocket up to 120 times per year within a six-mile area on the Florida coast.