SpaceX has received a green light for its next phase of Starship expansion on Florida’s Space Coast, with the U.S. Department of the Air Force officially approving the redevelopment of Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The approval follows a lengthy environmental review process that began in early 2024. The Air Force’s Record of Decision authorizes SpaceX to rebuild the pad for Starship and Super Heavy operations, enabling up to 76 launches and 152 landings every year once the Federal Aviation Administration completes its own analysis.
Construction is already underway, with SpaceX confirming, “Construction has started,” in a post announcing the milestone.
A Major Space Coast Expansion
Bringing Starship to SLC-37 dramatically expands SpaceX’s Florida footprint. The company is already developing a separate Starship pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (LC-39A), where crews recently placed a massive launch mount, and officials say the first Florida Starship launch could happen as early as mid-2026. With three active pads—SLC-37, LC-39A, and the existing Falcon pads—SpaceX says Starship will be positioned to support “America’s national security and Artemis goals as the world’s premiere spaceport continues to evolve to enable airport-like operations.”
The Air Force echoed those national security priorities, noting that Starship-Super Heavy operations “will ensure mission-essential functions… and support civilian launch capabilities needed to meet projected rapid increase in launch requirements.”
That projected surge in launches is substantial. The FAA forecasts U.S. launch activity could more than triple over the next decade, growing from 183 operations in 2025 to as many as 566 by 2034. Those missions include satellite servicing, new exploration missions—including Mars—and commercial space tourism.
