Final EIS Approves SpaceX Starship Launches at Cape Canaveral SLC37

The Future of SLC-37: Analyzing the Final EIS for Starship at Cape Canaveral

On November 20, 2025, the Department of the Air Force (DAF) officially released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding the redevelopment of Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). This document marks a pivotal moment in the transition of American spaceflight infrastructure. Following the retirement of United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV Heavy in April 2024, the DAF has selected the “Proposed Action,” effectively authorizing SpaceX to modify, construct, and operate the Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle from this historic site. We are witnessing a significant shift in operational tempo and capability on the Space Coast.

The decision to lease SLC-37 to SpaceX is driven by a critical requirement to advance United States space capabilities. The Department of Defense (DOD) has identified a pressing need for a dedicated “super-heavy” lift vehicle to ensure assured access to space for national security payloads. While the commercial implications are vast, the primary driver remains the strategic necessity of maintaining orbital dominance. The selection of SLC-37 came after an evaluation of multiple sites, including the undeveloped SLC-50 and SLC-40, but SLC-37 was ultimately chosen for its existing infrastructure and its ability to support the eastward trajectories required for the majority of projected missions.

With the Record of Decision (ROD) issued concurrently with the Final EIS, the regulatory path is clearing, though hurdles remain. The scope of the project is massive, involving not just the repurposing of a launch pad, but a fundamental transformation of the local environment and infrastructure. As we analyze the 2025 report, it becomes clear that while the benefits to space access are substantial, they come with distinct environmental and community impacts that will require rigorous management.

Operational Scope and Infrastructure Development

The scale of operations proposed for SLC-37 is unprecedented for a vehicle of this size. The Final EIS outlines a launch cadence of up to 76 launches annually. Because the Starship system is fully reusable, this also entails up to 152 landings per year, 76 for the Super Heavy booster and 76 for the Starship upper stage. Additionally, the site will host up to 76 static-fire tests annually. To put this in perspective, operations will be split roughly 50/50 between daytime hours (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and nighttime hours (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), ensuring a near-constant state of activity at the Cape.

To support this cadence, the physical landscape of SLC-37 will undergo extensive modification. The construction plan includes two massive launch mounts and two integration towers standing approximately 600 feet tall. These structures will dominate the skyline, dwarfing previous infrastructure. Support facilities will include a methane liquefier and an air separation unit to manage the propellant farms. Beyond the pad itself, the logistical requirements necessitate the widening of Phillips Parkway, a stretch of approximately 7 miles, and improvements to Old A1A to accommodate the transport of massive vehicle components from the port to the pad. The total construction footprint is estimated to cover 230 acres.

The operational tempo targets up to 76 annual launches, a figure that signals a new era of high-frequency super-heavy lift operations from the Eastern Range.

The timeline for these developments is aggressive. With the Delta IV Heavy retired as of 2024, the site is currently available for reallocation. Site preparation is expected to take several months, involving heavy truck traffic and a workforce of up to 300 people during the construction phase. Once operational, the facility is expected to add approximately 450 full-time employees to the local workforce. The first Starship launch from SLC-37 is tentatively targeted for 2026, pending the completion of construction and the issuance of a Vehicle Operator License by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Environmental Impacts and Community Concerns

The Final EIS provides a candid assessment of the environmental realities associated with the Starship program. While many impacts were deemed manageable, the report identifies “Noise and Vibration” as a significant impact area. Specifically, the return of the Super Heavy booster to the launch site will generate sonic booms that will be audible to local communities. The analysis suggests that residents in Titusville, Cocoa Beach, and Cape Canaveral may be exposed to noise levels and overpressures capable of causing annoyance. While the risk of structural damage, such as broken windows or plaster cracks, is categorized as “exceedingly low,” the report acknowledges it is a possibility.

Air Quality and Biological Considerations

Air quality was another major focus of the study. The projected emissions of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are estimated to reach approximately 570 tons per year. This figure significantly exceeds the DAF’s “insignificance indicator” of 250 tons per year, leading the agency to classify this as a “potentially significant” impact. To address this, the DAF and SpaceX have agreed to an Adaptive Management strategy. This approach involves continuous monitoring of air quality and the implementation of further controls if emissions do not align with modeled predictions or if ambient air quality standards are threatened.

Biological resources will also face pressure from the development. The construction and subsequent operations are expected to impact federally listed species, including the southeastern beach mouse, the Florida scrub-jay, and various sea turtle species. The EIS details the permanent conversion of approximately 72.3 acres of beach mouse habitat and 47.1 acres of scrub-jay habitat. Furthermore, the intense lighting required for nighttime launches poses a risk of disorienting nesting sea turtles, a critical concern for conservationists on the Space Coast.

Projected NOx emissions are estimated at 570 tons per year, triggering the need for an Adaptive Management strategy to monitor and mitigate air quality impacts.

Despite these challenges, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) concluded that the action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of these species, provided strict mitigation measures are followed. These measures include contributions to the Canaveral Conservation Fund to offset habitat loss, the implementation of a rigorous Lighting Management Plan (LMP), and pre-construction surveys to relocate gopher tortoises. Regarding noise, SpaceX is required to install water deluge systems and flame diverters to suppress launch acoustics, and a claims process has been established for residents to report potential structural damage.

Conclusion

The release of the Final EIS and the subsequent Record of Decision represents a definitive step forward for the U.S. space industry. By authorizing the redevelopment of SLC-37 for Starship, the Department of the Air Force has prioritized the expansion of heavy-lift capabilities essential for both national defense and commercial exploration. The transition from the Delta IV Heavy to the Starship system signifies a technological leap, moving from expendable legacy rockets to fully reusable, high-cadence launch systems.

However, this progress requires a delicate balance. The identified impacts on noise, air quality, and local wildlife highlight the costs associated with such rapid industrial advancement. The success of this endeavor will depend heavily on the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation strategies and the ongoing cooperation between SpaceX, the DAF, and the surrounding communities. As we look toward the targeted first launch in 2026, the focus will shift from regulatory approval to operational execution and environmental stewardship.

FAQ

Question: When will Starship start launching from SLC-37?
Answer: The first Starship launch from SLC-37 is tentatively targeted for 2026. This timeline is dependent on the completion of site construction and the issuance of a Vehicle Operator License by the FAA.

Question: How many launches will occur each year?
Answer: The Final EIS authorizes up to 76 launches and 152 landings (76 booster landings and 76 ship landings) annually. Operations will be split approximately 50/50 between day and night.

Question: Will the launches be loud?
Answer: Yes. The EIS identifies noise and vibration as a significant impact. Sonic booms generated by the returning booster will be audible in local communities, and noise levels may cause annoyance in areas like Titusville and Cocoa Beach.

Question: What is being done to protect local wildlife?
Answer: Mitigation measures include contributing to the Canaveral Conservation Fund, implementing a Lighting Management Plan to protect sea turtles, and conducting relocation surveys for gopher tortoises. The USFWS has concluded that with these measures, the project will not jeopardize protected species.

Sources

• SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Final Environmental Impact Statement