SpaceX accelerates Florida operations ahead of anticipated Starship launch surge starting in 2026

SpaceX’s Roberts Road facility, located on Florida’s Space Coast, is currently buzzing with activity as the company gears up for an anticipated spike in Starship launches from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station starting in 2026. This flurry of preparations marks a pivotal moment for SpaceX’s East Coast operations.

One significant development occurred in 2025, with the return of the fabrication of orbital-class Starship launch hardware to the Roberts Road site. In recent months, workers completed a new orbital launch mount for Launch Complex 39A, constructed under a protective rolling tent. This mount has now been successfully transported to the launch pad and placed over the flame trench, an important step in the launch preparation process. Recent aerial footage captured during a flyover shows the now-vacant assembly stands that were used during the mount’s construction.

Looking ahead, SpaceX is turning its focus to upcoming hardware. Plans are underway to build two dedicated Starship launch pads at the nearby Space Launch Complex 37. It’s expected that new components for these launch mounts could soon arrive at Roberts Road for assembly, similar to what was done for the LC-39A mount. Among the most notable advancements are the two planned launch-and-catch towers for SLC-37, with all nine structural modules for the first tower now fully assembled and ready for transportation once the foundation work begins.

The modular design of the towers adheres to a previously established pattern from SpaceX’s Starbase facility. The first three modules are designed for the lower section, housing accessible platforms for the tower’s cutting-edge “chopstick” arms and carriage system, while additional modules contain crucial components like the quick-disconnect arm and plumbing systems. Outfitting of these modules is already in progress, with internal staircases, handrails, and elevator shafts installed, while the installation of cryogenic plumbing and high-pressure gas lines is on the horizon. Once the foundations at SLC-37 are completed, stacking of the modules is expected to happen swiftly, potentially using the Liebherr LR13000 crane presently located at LC-39A.

SpaceX has also started assembling the initial set of chopstick arms and the carriage system for SLC-37, with recent welding activities binding the shoulder sections of the arms and enabling the installation of rail-connection hardware for the carriage.

In addition to developments at SLC-37, components for the existing facilities at LC-39A are progressing well. Inside the rolling tent, significant advancements have been made on the ship quick-disconnect arm, aligning closely with the design employed at Starbase’s Pad 2. Across the tent’s other half, preparations for the booster quick-disconnect carriages for the newly installed orbital launch mount are in full swing, with equipment staged for transport to LC-39A.

One striking indication of SpaceX’s long-term investment in Florida is the ongoing construction of the expansive Starship “Giga Bay,” a high-bay facility designed for the manufacturing and refurbishment of Starship vehicles. Recent aerial surveys reveal the rapid pace of construction, with two additional tower cranes added and steel work progressing efficiently. The foundation for the eastern section is now complete, while the construction crews work on reaching various levels in different sections of the structure. Despite having achieved substantial height in the central wall, there remains a considerable journey ahead to complete the building.

As SpaceX accelerates its efforts to establish full Starship operations in Florida as soon as feasible, it is important to note that incoming Version 3 boosters and ships, expected to arrive by barge, may require temporary outdoor storage solutions until the facility is fully enclosed.

Historically, the Starbase site in Texas has been the focal point for Starship development, but the simultaneous progress on launch mounts, catch towers, quick-disconnect systems, and a production facility in Florida signals a strategic shift. With plans for at least three launch towers and the potential return of LC-49 into the mix, SpaceX is clearly laying the groundwork for a marked increase in Starship launch activity in the coming years.