SpaceX Receives USAF Operational License for Cape Canaveral Launch Site

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has been granted an Operational License by the US Air Force for the use of Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on the Florida coast. Receipt of the license, in conjunction with the approved Site Plan, paves the way for SpaceX to initiate Falcon 9 launch operations later this year.

“We are developing Falcon 9 to be a valuable asset to the American space launch fleet,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “The support we received from General Helms and the US Air Force has been immensely helpful in developing the pathfinder processes necessary for SpaceX to realize commercial space flights from the Cape.”

“Our developments at Complex 40 continue with great speed,” added Brian Mosdell, Director of Florida Launch Operations for SpaceX. “We have moved our massive oxygen storage tank into place, and expect to complete construction of our hangar later this year.”

Mosdell cited other supporters instrumental to SpaceX’s efforts including the members of the Florida congressional delegation, the USAF Space Command, Col. Scott Henderson, Commander, 45th Launch Group, Col. (ret.) Mark Bontrager, formerly Commander of the 45th Mission Support Group, the public-private partnership Space Florida, and the Space Coast Economic Development Commission.

In operation since 1965, and located south of NASA’s launch sites for the Apollo moon missions and Space Shuttle flights, SLC-40 has hosted numerous historic launches, including the departure of two interplanetary missions: the Mars Observer satellite, and the Cassini spacecraft now exploring the rings and moons of the planet Saturn.

PlanetSpace Unveils Rocket That Could Fly From Cape Canaveral

PROMONTORY, UTAH, Jan 9-10, 2008 -- The PlanetSpace team, comprised of teammates Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Alliant Techsystems (ATK), and the Bank of Montreal (Financial Advisor), hosted a future space transportation open house at ATK’s facilities in Promontory, Utah. Available launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware provided assurance that a low-risk path is available for commercial-type space transportation. Congressional and senior representatives from several government agencies participated in this event where the team revealed plans addressing NASA’s near term, ISS space cargo delivery requirements driven by the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 and other space vehicle requirements placing an assortment of payloads in specific orbits.

The team gathered together at ATK’s facilities in Promontory, Utah, surrounded by solid rocket motors, modular cargo carriers, and a mockup of the Conestoga, a space personnel carrier. Attendees were impressed at the sheer size of the existing systems. “Here is the proof showing that we can leverage our flight proven systems and component capabilities at Lockheed Martin and ATK meeting future Space transportation needs for NASA and other customers” said Dr Chirinjeev Kathuria Chairman of PlanetSpace.

ATK, the world’s leading provider of solid rocket propulsion, is currently developing the first stage for NASA’s Ares I launch vehicle and manufactures the Shuttle SRBs. Combining existing solid rocket boosters with minor upper stage enhancements provides a low cost launch capability paving the way for near term demonstrations. “Our ability to utilize propulsion elements currently in production greatly reduces the development time and enables us to provide a near-term, low-risk solution,” said Joel Crook, Director of Advanced Programs at ATK. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, using it’s vast interplanetary and autonomous spacecraft design, build, system integration, and mission operations experience, is developing the Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs) for PlanetSpace. The OTVs include a modular cargo carrier and the Conestoga. “Basing our spacecraft design and performance on existing systems, including the Genesis on display to my right, brings a sense of reality to achieving highly reliable cargo delivery in the near future” said Al Simpson, Director Advanced Programs, Human Space Flight at Lockheed Martin.