new launch complex would provide a dedicated location for U.S. Army and Navy missile testing
The U.S. Air Force is considering the construction of a new launch facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is located near two former Navy launch facilities, Space Launch Complexes 25 and 29, both of which have been inactive for decades. Launch Complex 25, above, was dismantled in the late 1970s and later repurposed for naval weapons testing activities, while Launch Complex 29 was deactivated in 1980. (NASA image)
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA — The U.S. Air Force is considering the construction of a new launch facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aimed at expanding military testing capabilities and reducing conflicts with commercial space operations.
Plans for the proposed site, known as Space Launch Complex 51 (SLC-51), are currently under environmental review.
The Air Force has begun preparing an Environmental Assessment to evaluate potential impacts associated with the project, which would be located near Port Canaveral.
According to project documents, the new launch complex would provide a dedicated location for U.S. Army and Navy missile testing activities currently conducted at Space Launch Complex 46.
Military officials say the existing site’s proximity to commercial launch facilities has created operational limitations, making it difficult to conduct simultaneous missions.
The proposed relocation is intended to place military launch operations outside the safety exclusion zones established around nearby commercial launch providers.
Officials say the move would improve scheduling flexibility, increase launch availability, and support both national defense missions and the rapidly growing commercial space industry.
If approved, SLC-51 would be built on approximately 50 acres south of Pier Road, roughly 2.5 miles south of SLC-46.
The project would require the construction of new roads, utilities, launch support systems, and other infrastructure necessary to support missile testing operations.
The site is located near two former Navy launch facilities, Space Launch Complexes 25 and 29, both of which have been inactive for decades.
Launch Complex 25 was dismantled in the late 1970s and later repurposed for naval weapons testing activities, while Launch Complex 29 was deactivated in 1980.
In recent years, SLC-46 has served as a key site for joint Army-Navy hypersonic missile testing.
The facility has also supported commercial launches under agreements managed through Space Florida, including missions conducted by Astra Space.
