Air Force Approves SpaceX Starship Launches at Cape Canaveral

This article is based on an official Record of Decision from the Department of the Air Force. See the original document for full details.

Department of the Air Force Approves SpaceX Starship Operations at Cape Canaveral

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) has officially issued a Record of Decision (ROD) approving the proposal to allow SpaceX to redevelop Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) for the Starship-Super Heavy launch system. Signed on November 20, 2025, this decision marks the final step in the Air Force’s environmental review process, clearing the way for SpaceX to construct a high-cadence orbital launch site on military property.

According to the official documents, the DAF selected the “Proposed Action” over the “No Action Alternative,” citing the critical need for a dedicated, high-capacity launch site to support the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. The decision authorizes SpaceX to conduct up to 76 launches annually from the site, a cadence that would significantly increase the tempo of operations on Florida’s Space Coast.

This approval transforms SLC-37, formerly the home of the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy, into a primary hub for SpaceX’s interplanetary ambitions and national security missions. While the environmental review is complete, SpaceX must still finalize a real property lease with the Space Force and obtain a Vehicle Operator License from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before operations can commence.

Operational Scope and Cadence

The Record of Decision outlines a massive scale of operations for the new Starship complex. The approved plan permits a launch cadence that far exceeds historical operations at the site. Under the authorization, SpaceX is permitted to conduct:

• Launches: Up to 76 Starship-Super Heavy launches per year.
• Landings: Up to 152 landings annually, comprising 76 Super Heavy booster landings and 76 Starship upper stage landings.
• Static Fire Tests: Up to 76 static fire events for each stage per year.

The operational concept described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) involves the Super Heavy booster returning to the launch site approximately seven minutes after liftoff for a “catch” landing using the tower’s mechanical arms. The Starship upper stage is also authorized to land at the pad, with mission durations ranging from a few hours for orbital tests to potentially years for interplanetary returns.

Environmental Impacts and Mitigation

The DAF’s review acknowledges that the sheer power of the Starship system, the largest rocket ever built, will introduce significant environmental impacts to the region. The ROD details several areas of concern and the mandatory mitigation strategies SpaceX must employ.

Noise and Sonic Booms

The report identifies noise as a primary concern for local residents. Unlike traditional expendable rockets, the reusable Starship system generates sonic booms during the return of both the booster and the upper stage. The DAF notes that these booms will be audible across the Space Coast and may occur during nighttime hours.

“Significant community annoyance is a likely outcome due to the sheer power of the Super Heavy booster and the sonic booms generated by returning vehicles.”

, Record of Decision, Department of the Air Force

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To mitigate these effects, SpaceX is required to implement a robust public notification system for all launches and landings. While the DAF concluded that structural damage to nearby properties is unlikely, they acknowledged that noise levels will exceed those of previous vehicles, such as the Saturn V or the Space Launch System (SLS).

Wildlife and Wetlands

Construction at SLC-37 will impact local ecology, specifically the habitats of protected species like the Florida scrub-jay and the Southeastern beach mouse. The ROD mandates that SpaceX fund or perform habitat restoration and utilize trap-and-release programs to relocate affected animals to suitable areas away from the launch zone.

Furthermore, the DAF issued a “Finding of No Practicable Alternative” (FONPA) regarding the destruction of wetlands surrounding the pad. The decision states that the specific location is mission-critical, and no other viable alternative exists. Consequently, SpaceX must obtain federal permits and purchase wetland mitigation bank credits to offset the loss.

Strategic Importance for National Security

The decision to approve SLC-37 for Starship is driven heavily by national security requirements. The Space Force views Starship as a vital asset for the rapid deployment of heavy cargo and future military capabilities. The ROD emphasizes that the site provides necessary redundancy to SpaceX’s commercial operations at Starbase, Texas, and NASA’s Launch Complex 39A.

By securing a dedicated military-controlled launch site, the Department of Defense ensures it can meet “projected rapid increase in launch requirements” without competing for scheduling priority at commercial or NASA-led pads. Unlike LC-39A, which is capped at a lower cadence to protect adjacent NASA assets, SLC-37 is authorized for high-frequency operations tailored to defense needs.

AirPro News Analysis

We view this approval as a definitive signal that the U.S. military is fully integrating super-heavy lift capabilities into its long-term strategy. The authorization of 76 launches per year, more than one per week, suggests that the Space Force anticipates a paradigm shift in how military assets are deployed. This is not merely about replacing the Delta IV; it is about creating a logistics throughput capability that currently does not exist.

However, the friction between this high operational tempo and the local community cannot be ignored. The “significant community annoyance” cited in the ROD is a bureaucratic phrase for a very real quality-of-life change for residents of Brevard County. As operations ramp up, we expect the “Adaptive Management Plan” mentioned in the air quality section to be tested frequently, potentially leading to future adjustments in operational windows or flight profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will construction begin?

With the ROD signed, the Space Force will execute a lease agreement transferring the site to SpaceX. Demolition of the legacy Delta IV structures and construction of the new Starship infrastructure is expected to begin immediately following the lease execution.

Is the approval final?

The environmental review by the Air Force is complete. However, SpaceX still requires a Vehicle Operator License from the FAA. The DAF noted that if the FAA’s analysis of airspace closures reveals new significant impacts, a revised ROD could be issued, though this is considered unlikely.

How loud will the launches be?

The Starship system is significantly louder than existing rockets. In addition to launch noise, the return of the booster and ship will create sonic booms. The DAF has confirmed these will be audible across the region.

Sources

• Department of the Air Force Record of Decision