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Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) held official ground
breaking ceremonies today at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, opening a new era in commercial
space operations. SLC-40 will be the primary launch site for SpaceX's
new Falcon 9 launch vehicle, with operations beginning in late 2008.
Located on the Florida coast, just south of NASA's launch site for
all Apollo moon missions and Space Shuttle flights, SLC-40 is a world
class heavy lift launch facility, capable of supporting both the
Falcon 9 and future Falcon 9 Heavy missions. In operation since 1965,
SLC-40 has hosted numerous 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.
"Initiating activities at the Cape in Florida is a major milestone
in our mission to decrease the cost of reliable access to space," said
Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, at the ceremony.
"This is truly the beginning of a new era in commercial space in
Florida and we are thrilled to help bring SpaceX to Florida,"
commented Space Florida CEO Steve Kohler, who also participated in the
ceremony.
The event included representatives from NASA, the US Air Force,
the FAA, Space Florida, the State of Florida, SpaceX and
representatives from the offices of US Senators Bill Nelson and Mel
Martinez. After the official "ground breaking" ceremony, Space Florida
hosted a grand reception for all attendees.
In the coming months, SpaceX will perform extensive upgrades and
removal of outdated infrastructure to transform the site into a state
of the art facility for commercial satellite launches, supply missions
to the International Space Station (ISS), and eventually lofting crew
carrying missions to the ISS and future orbiting destinations.
About Space Florida
In May 2006, the Florida Legislature passed the Space Florida Act,
consolidating Florida's three existing space entities into a single
new organization. Space Florida was formed to be the single point of
contact for state aerospace-related activities with federal agencies,
the military, State agencies, universities, and the private sector,
consolidating the roles and responsibilities of three predecessor
organizations. Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida's
position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment,
exploration and commerce. As Florida's aerospace development
organization, Space Florida is committed to attracting and expanding
the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly
trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of
achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to
thrive - and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them
succeed. For more information please visit
http://www.spaceflorida.gov.
About SpaceX
Started in 2002 by Elon Musk, founder of PayPay, Space Exploration
Technologies (SpaceX) is developing a family of launch vehicles
intended to reduce the cost and increase the reliability of both
manned and unmanned space transportation ultimately by a factor of ten
or more. With its Falcon line of launch vehicles, SpaceX is able to
offer light, medium and heavy lift capabilities to deliver spacecraft
into any inclination and altitude, from low Earth orbit to
geosynchronous orbit to planetary missions.
As part of NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
(COTS) competition, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 with a cargo
carrying Dragon spacecraft on a series of three demonstration missions
from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station, culminating
with the delivery of supplies to the $100 billion dollar orbiting
laboratory. SpaceX intends to demonstrate its launch, maneuvering,
berthing and return abilities by 2009 - a year before NASA has
scheduled the conclusion of Space Shuttle operations. For more
information visit http://www.SpaceX.com.
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