SpaceX facilities

The Falcon 9 launch complex at Cape Canaveral, Florida

As of 2023, SpaceX operates four launch facilities: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Vandenberg Space Force Base Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E), Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A), and Brownsville South Texas Launch Site (Starbase). Space Launch Complex 40 was damaged in the AMOS-6 accident in September 2016 and repair work was completed by December 2017.[1] SpaceX believes that they can optimize their launch operations, and reduce launch costs, by dividing their launch missions amongst these four launch facilities: LC-39A for NASA launches, SLC-40 for United States Space Force national security launches, SLC-4E for polar launches, and South Texas Launch Site for commercial launches.[2]

COO Gwynne Shotwell stated in 2014 that "we are expanding in all of our locations" and "you will end up seeing a lot of SpaceX launch sites in order to meet the future demand that we anticipate."[3] As of June 2016, SpaceX discussed preliminary plans to launch an average of 90 rockets per year after 2019.[4] SpaceX has indicated that, depending on market demand, it may need another commercial launch site in addition to the Texas location.[2]

In 2016, SpaceX signed a five-year lease to use a 53,000 square foot (4,900 m2) former Spacehab building at Port Canaveral.[5] A new building nearby is also planned, and these facilities would be used to refurbish rockets.[6]

In addition, SpaceX uses a suborbital test facility, the SpaceX Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas. A high-altitude suborbital test facility was under construction in New Mexico,[2] but was abandoned following the switch to flight tests on commercial missions.

SpaceX has indicated that they see a niche for each of the four orbital facilities currently in use or under construction, and that they have sufficient launch business to fill each pad,[7] particularly so by the end of the decade if SpaceX business remains strong.[2]

  1. ^ "Launch operators expect minimal delays from Hurricane Irma – Spaceflight Now". spaceflightnow.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2017-09-30.
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference sfn20131018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Gwynne Shotwell (2014-03-21). Broadcast 2212: Special Edition, interview with Gwynne Shotwell (audio file). The Space Show. Event occurs at 49:50–50:40. 2212. Archived from the original (mp3) on 2014-03-22. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  4. ^ "Port Commissioner: SpaceX negotiating Port lease to refurbish rocket boosters". Fox35 Local News. 2016-06-23. Archived from the original on 2016-06-26. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  5. ^ Berman, Dave (November 23, 2016). "SpaceX plans five-year lease of Port Canaveral complex". Florida Today. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  6. ^ Statt, Nick (Aug 24, 2016). "SpaceX is building new facilities at Port Canaveral to refurbish rockets". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  7. ^ Klotz, Irene (2013-08-02). "SpaceX Appetite for U.S. Launch Sites Grows". Space News. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-05.