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SpaceX Reconfigures Launch Pad for Starship Era
12 Feb
Summary
- Crew Access Arm removed from Pad 39A for Starship preparations.
- Pad 39A will host Falcon Heavy launches and Starship flights.
- Falcon 9 missions will now launch from Pad 40 for future flights.
Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center is undergoing significant modifications, including the removal of its Crew Access Arm, to prepare for SpaceX's Starship rocket. This historic launch site, which previously supported the Saturn V and Space Shuttle programs, has been adapted for SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets since 2017.
The current reconfiguration is driven by the impending arrival of Starship, with a new launch tower under construction nearby. While Falcon Heavy launches will continue from Pad 39A, SpaceX is shifting its Falcon 9 operations to the nearby Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This decision aims to streamline operations and concentrate efforts on the Starship program.
In addition to the pad modifications, the bearings connecting the Crew Access Arm to Pad 39A require repairs. SpaceX plans to address these maintenance needs while focusing on Starship integration. Future Crew Dragon flights will depart from Pad 40, marking a new operational phase for the Florida launch complex.
This strategic realignment allows SpaceX to dedicate resources effectively. The company aims to commence Starship flights from Kennedy Space Center by the end of the year, following developmental flights in South Texas. Pad 40's efficiency improvements also support an increased launch cadence for Falcon 9 missions.
