As SpaceX continues to make rapid strides in the development of its ambitious Starship system, the company is actively working to establish dedicated launch and production facilities for the massive reusable rocket on the East Coast of the United States, specifically in Florida.
Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center
One of the primary locations for SpaceX’s Starship operations in Florida is Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This historic launch pad, which hosted numerous Apollo and Space Shuttle missions, has been leased by SpaceX since 2014 for a 20-year term.
In late 2019, SpaceX began preliminary work at LC-39A to construct a launch mount and support infrastructure for Starship. However, these efforts were soon redirected to the company’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, where the initial Starship testing and development were concentrated.
In December 2021, SpaceX announced that construction of a dedicated Starship orbital launch pad at LC-39A had begun. The company aims to replicate the launch tower and ground systems similar to those at Starbase, but with improved designs based on lessons learned.
Progress on the LC-39A Starship launch complex has been steady, with SpaceX assembling prefabricated sections of the launch tower and constructing the necessary foundations and infrastructure. The launch tower, dubbed “Mechazilla” by Elon Musk, will feature robotic arms designed to catch the returning Starship and Super Heavy booster during landing attempts.
Roberts Road Facilities
In addition to the launch complex at LC-39A, SpaceX is also developing extensive production and support facilities for Starship at the Roberts Road site, located within the Kennedy Space Center boundaries.
This site includes a massive hangar, known as “Hangar X,” which is being used for processing and refurbishment of Falcon boosters. However, SpaceX has cleared a significant area adjacent to Hangar X for the construction of a new Starship production facility.
Renderings and plans indicate that this facility will be similar in scale and design to the production site at Starbase, featuring a high-bay assembly building and various support structures. The Roberts Road site will likely play a crucial role in the production and integration of Starship vehicles for launches from Florida.
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
While LC-39A and the Roberts Road facilities are located within NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX is also exploring the possibility of establishing a dedicated Starship launch complex at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is adjacent to KSC.
In February 2024, the U.S. Space Force announced plans to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of converting Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) or constructing a new launch complex (SLC-50) for Starship operations.
SLC-37, currently used by United Launch Alliance for its retiring Delta IV rockets, is one of the options being considered for conversion into a Starship launch site. Alternatively, a new launch complex, designated SLC-50, could be built between SLC-37 and SpaceX’s existing Falcon launch pad at SLC-40.
The EIS process, which includes public meetings and comment periods, is expected to take over a year to complete, with a final decision anticipated in September 2025.
By establishing multiple launch sites and production facilities in Florida, SpaceX aims to enable a high flight rate for Starship, supporting various missions, including NASA’s Artemis lunar program, as well as potential point-to-point transportation and future Mars exploration endeavors.
