WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing to kick off environmental studies that could lead to SpaceX Starship launches from either the Cape Canaveral facility used by the Delta 4 or a new complex.
A new website outlines plans by the Department of the Air Force, which includes the Space Force, to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) regarding Starship launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Such a review is required by the National Environmental Policy Act for any major action, like construction of a new launch complex.
The study would examine the environmental impacts of converting Space Launch Complex (SLC) 37 at Cape Canaveral into a Starship launch complex. “SpaceX would modify, reuse, or demolish the existing SLC-37 infrastructure to support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations,” according to the site.
SLC-37, built in the 1960s for the Saturn 1 and 1B rockets, was later converted by Boeing to host launches of the Delta 4. That rocket will soon retire, with the final Delta 4 Heavy launch scheduled for as soon as March. There are no plans by United Launch Alliance to continue use of the site by its new Vulcan rocket, which launches from nearby SLC-41.
The EIS will examine one alternative option, which involves building a new launch complex designated SLC-50 for Starship. That would be located between SLC-37 and the next pad to the north, SLC-40, used by SpaceX’s Falcon 9. As is typical with such environmental studies, the EIS will include a “no action” alternative where no Starship launch sites are built at either location.
The website offers no other details about the plans to support Starship launches at either SLC-37 or the new SLC-50. The Department of the Air Force is planning three public meetings to discuss the scope of the EIS, scheduled for March 5, 6 and 7 in Cocoa, Titusville and Cape Canaveral, Florida, respectively. A fourth, virtual meeting is scheduled for March…
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