SpaceX is moving forward with its plans to construct a new Starship launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Musk Space Company requested that the American space agency perform environmental assessments for its Launch Complex 49 launch facility at the northern tip of the center.
Musk had announced his plans to set up an orbital launchpad for the huge rocket, but only shared in a tweet that construction was underway.
‘The 175-acre site, located north of Launch Complex 39B within the center’s security perimeter, would support the launch and landing of the company’s Starship and Super Heavy launch vehicle,’ NASA shared in a press release released Wednesday evening.
‘NASA and SpaceX are moving forward with the initial environmental analysis before concluding a potential agreement to develop the property.’
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SpaceX asked NASA to perform environmental assessments for its Launch Complex 49 launch facility, located at the northernmost end of the center.
When Musk announced plans to move his Starship launches to Florida, it was believed the launch pad would be located at Complex 39 where SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets launch into space.
Cape Canaveral is also the company’s spot to launch Starlink satellites into orbit, along with cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station – but Wednesday’s announcements shows it is Complex 49.
Tom Engler, Kennedy’s director of center planning and development, said in a statement: ‘LC-49 has been a part of Kennedy’s master plan for several years.’
The spaceport is located on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. This means that it’s home to endangered and threatened species.
SpaceX’s Starship Rockets would be launched from this launch site. They currently fly only out of the Boca Chica facility in Texas.
Cape Canaveral is also the company’s spot to launch Starlink satellites into orbit, along with cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station – which is done from Complex 39 (pictured)
Therefore, SpaceX must pass environmental reviews before it can get off the ground.
We work hard to achieve a balance between spaceport growth and operations and environmental stewardship,” Dankert said. “It’s through the environmental programs that we are able to preserve and protect our unique and valuable natural resources while achieving NASA’s mission and values.”
NASA will start inter-agency scoping and the public in 2022 for the proposed LC-49 Environmental Assessment. Scoping is part of NEPA. This involves a Federal agency describing a proposed action as well as possible alternatives.
Musk had announced his plans to set up an orbital launchpad for the huge rocket, but only shared in a tweet that construction was underway
SpaceX currently awaits the outcome of another Environmental Review from Federal Aviation Administration before it can launch Starships from Boca Chica in Texas.
The agency will then seek input from other agencies, organizations, and the public on potentially affected resources, environmental issues, and the agency’s planned approach to analysis.
SpaceX still awaits results from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), before it is able to launch Starships out of its Boca Chica facility, Texas.
The FAA announced in November that it would complete the review on December 31, which means SpaceX could get back to testing its Starship rockets – a key player in Musk’s goal to colonize Mars.
This massive rocket once it’s perfected will be able to transport tons of cargo and millions of people from Earth into the Red Planet.