Space Force leaders want a new heavy-lift spaceport operating by 2030 as a third launch site, Ars Technica reported. Pentagon officials have not selected a location for the base and have not decided how to acquire land for it. The proposed base would reduce pressure on Florida and California launch facilities, which have hosted orbital rocket launches for nearly 70 years. Heavy-lift rockets carry large payloads to orbit.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink first raised the Space Force’s search for a new launch base in May. He discussed a study required by Congress during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. That study found Space Force needs an additional location for heavy and super heavy launch capability. Heavy and super heavy launch capability refers to launching the largest rockets and payloads into orbit.
The Trump administration‘s August space transportation policy endorsed construction of new launch and reentry sites for commercial and military use. Reentry sites are locations where spacecraft return to Earth. This week, Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant of Space Systems Command presented an aspirational schedule for a new launch site, a planning target rather than a firm commitment. Garrant said the Space Force requires this launch capability by 2030 while describing himself as a pragmatist.
Garrant cited orbital regimes, safety, access to commodities, and people living nearby as factors in building a spaceport. Orbital regimes are the paths and altitudes that satellites follow around Earth. He compared building a spaceport to constructing an airport, only louder. As head of Space Systems Command, Garrant is responsible for procuring launch services for the military.
Garrant put the timeline in direct terms. “We need this capability by 2030, but I’m also a pragmatist.” He made the remark while discussing the Space Force’s need for a new spaceport and the challenges of meeting the 2030 target.
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