Starship Operations Accelerate at Cape Canaveral
SpaceX Is Building a Starship Hub on Florida’s Space Coast
SpaceX is making big moves in Florida as it brings its Starship program to Cape Canaveral. After originally pausing plans following the 2022 construction of a launch tower at LC-39A and the start of work at Roberts Road, the company has resumed development in a major way. Land north of Hangar X is being cleared for a Starship production site, including a massive new “Gigabay” facility. This structure will dwarf the existing Mega Bays at Starbase, allowing up to 28 workstations and enough height to build next-generation stretched Starship vehicles. A new 1.5 million square foot Starfactory is also planned, boosting production, maintenance, and storage capacity.
Roberts Road Set to Become a Starship Manufacturing Powerhouse
The Roberts Road site will be at the heart of Florida's Starship operations. Alongside the Gigabay and expanded Starfactory, SpaceX is using this location to produce launch towers and other critical infrastructure. Tower components from Starbase are being reused, with three towers already built and more likely on the way—including one for SLC-37, which is undergoing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) review. Construction materials for the LC-39A launch mount have already begun arriving, signaling that Florida will soon match, if not surpass, the capabilities at SpaceX’s Texas launch site.
Upgrades Underway at LC-39A for Starship Launches
Back at LC-39A, SpaceX has restarted work on the Starship pad after submitting a new EIS in 2024. Updates include installing a flame trench, removing outdated fuel tanks, and replacing them with a more efficient layout based on lessons from Starbase. The company has also dug up old above-ground propellant lines and begun trench work to better manage fuel and commodities. These changes are designed to support safer and more reliable Starship launches, with systems that can be replicated for future pads.
Florida’s Starship Future Is Just Getting Started
Looking ahead, SpaceX plans to build even more launch pads in Florida—potentially at SLC-37 or SLC-50—depending on the outcome of the ongoing EIS process. With a draft report expected in spring 2025 and final approval by fall, SpaceX is preparing for long-term operations on the Space Coast. When complete, the Florida Starship program will include multiple pads, massive production facilities, and the infrastructure needed to build and launch hundreds of vehicles. It’s a clear sign that Cape Canaveral will play a central role in the future of deep space travel.