By Space Coast Daily // July 11, 2025 meetings focused on the environmental impacts of SpaceX’s proposals The U.S. Air Force received feedback from the community on the future launch of Elon Musk’s Starship rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this week during three public meetings held to discuss the potential impacts of Starship. (SpaceX image) BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FLORIDA — The U.S. Air Force received feedback from the community on the future launch of Elon Musk’s Starship rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this week during three public meetings held to discuss the potential impacts of Starship. These meetings, which included a public comment period, allowed community members to contribute their feedback. Officials from SpaceX, NASA, the Space Force, and other agencies addressed some of the concerns raised by attendees regarding the potential impacts on habitat, wildlife, and traffic. The public meetings are part of the ongoing review process for SpaceX’s heavy-lift launch operations and featured an open-house format with informational displays, followed by a formal presentation and a public comment period. According to SpaceX officials, the Starship rocket program is expected to generate $1.8 billion in capital investments and create approximately 600 jobs over the next five years. Upcoming Meeting: A virtual hearing will be held HERE on Tuesday, July 15, at 6 p.m. The Air Force is leading the federal review because the 45th Space Wing, headquartered at Patrick Space Force Base, oversees Eastern Range operations that support launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complexes. The EIS will evaluate how Starship launches could impact airspace, local wildlife, noise levels, and public safety. Initial public outreach began in 2023 with virtual information sessions to introduce the project and outline the EIS timeline. Those early meetings focused on defining the scope of environmental issues to be studied and gathering preliminary input from the community. Starship, SpaceX’s next-generation reusable launch vehicle, is designed to carry both crew and cargo to orbit, the Moon, and Mars. Its operations at Kennedy Space Center would expand Florida’s role in deep-space exploration and commercial spaceflight. Comments may also be submitted in writing by mail or through the project’s official website through August 15, 2025. For more information, visit the Air Force’s official EIS page for the Starship project HERE. SpaceX has proposed three options for its Cape Canaveral Space Force Station plans: ■ SpaceX will either modify, reuse, or demolish the existing Space Launch Complex (SLC) 37 infrastructure to support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations. ■ Constructing infrastructure to support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations on an undeveloped portion of land that has been set aside and designated for a future Space Launch Complex-50. SLC-50, which would be located between SLC-40 and SLC-37. ■ A non-action alternative plan is also being explored where SpaceX would not develop a launch and landing site in support of Starship-Super Heavy launches and would not apply for an FAA vehicle operator license for Starship-Super Heavy launches from CCSFS. For more information, visit the Air Force’s official EIS page for the Starship project HERE. Related Story: