The Department of the Air Force announced that it has given approval to SpaceX to move forward with plans to launch its Starship and Super Heavy platforms at Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Station.

A “Decision record.” on Environmental impact statement The proposed Canaveral site was posted on the Air Force’s website late Monday for an approval process that has been going on for nearly two years.

The resolution states that the Space Force will implement an ownership agreement for the site with the primary goal of supporting national security missions, while also allowing for civilian missions. It says Space Launch Delta 45 will need to prepare for Starship launch requirements on the Eastern Range before any launches can take place.

The company posted an update late Monday confirming the approval and noting that construction is already underway.

The Space Force had already authorized SpaceX to remove former United Launch Alliance launch infrastructure that supported the now-retired Delta IV Heavy rockets.

Its plans are to have two Starship launch towers at SLC-37 while also seeking one tower at Launch Complex 39-A adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center. This site remains subject to the ongoing Environmental Information System (EIS) administered by the FAA.

“With three launch pads in Florida, Starship will be ready to support U.S. national security and Artemis objectives as the world’s first spaceport continues to evolve to enable airport-like operations,” SpaceX posted on the X website.

The Air Force’s EIS for the Canaveral site will allow SpaceX “to conduct up to 76 launches and 152 landings per year once a supplemental airspace effects analysis is completed by the FAA.”

The Air Force will evaluate the airspace analysis before finalizing its position on authorizing the launch of the spacecraft.

The impact on air traffic of Starship launches and the return of its booster and upper stage to the launch site has been a major concern after details of the potential impact were revealed under the KSC EIS. SpaceX is seeking to conduct 44 more launches and 88 landings from the KSC site.

combined, Worst case scenario Of the 120 launches and 240 potential landings that could delay 12,000 commercial flights each year. Other concerns include the impact of intense sonic booms stored in the massive missile.

At an altitude of more than 400 feet, the Super Heavy stage and Starship combined stage are launched with about 17 million pounds of thrust, more than twice that of the Apollo program’s Saturn V rockets.

The boosters are designed to return to the launch site to be picked up by the launch tower’s rotating “chopstick” arms while the upper stage can return after at least one Earth orbit if the mission calls for it. These repatriation flights will crisscross Florida, preventing access to several major airports in the state including Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Space officials said the Delta 45 was launched The first Starship launches will take place as early as summer 2026 from the KSC site, assuming approvals arrive.