Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37)

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Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37)
Official Starship SLC-37 Render
Status	Undergoing initial construction
Specifications
Facility type	Launch Complex
Current Usage	Unused
Infrastructure
See also	Starbase Launch/Testing Site and Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A)

Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37, or slick 37) is a rocket launch facility at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Merritt Island, Florida, US. Construction began in June 1959. It was built together with SLC-34 as part of the Apollo program for Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B. Initially, two pads were built (37A and 37B), but only Pad B was used.

After the decommissioning of the Saturn rocket, the pad was shut down, and in the early 1970s, mothballed. At the beginning of the 21st century, SLC-37 was reactivated, with the Pad B being used by United Launch Alliance for launches of the Delta IV Medium and Delta IV Heavy rockets. Delta IV Medium made its last flight in August 2019, while Heavy was retired in April 2024.

Presently, SLC-37 is undergoing initial construction for two Starship pads: OLITs 4 & 5. Cranes, such as the LR11000, have already been spotted and foundation work is underway for the Mechazillas.

Map of the launch pads at Cape Canaveral as of 2016.

History

The Apollo era

Construction began in 1959 for a launch complex to test heavy-lift Saturn vehicles, in parallel to SLC 34. The initial plan was to launch from this site a C3 rocket (a planned rocket of the Saturn family) with a trans-lunar injection stage and the lunar lander (known at the time as LEM or LM, lunar (excursion) module) that would do an Earth Orbit Rendezvous (EOR) with an Apollo command module that would launch separatelly. This plan was abandoned in 1965 when the decision was taken to make the Apollo missions in a Moon encounter architecture, requiring just one big rocket.: The C5, better known as "Saturn V". The site was used to launch 6 Saturn 1s (C1), for misions AS 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106. Using vehicles SA 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. All these launches were uncrewed. All of these launches carried an Apollo CSM mass simulator (except the first flight, AS101), the C1 had no payload. The test flight just wanted to check that the vehicle could carry a second stage. After these 6 successfull flights of the C1, another 2 flight lifted off from pad B: Missions AS 203 (Unofficially Apollo 3) and Apollo 5. The first one did a test of a simulated relight of it's S-IVB stage for a potential TLI. Apollo 5 carried a LEM to LEO, both missions were successfull. After this mission, the pad was (to be completed)

SpaceX

06 June 2025 — Draft EIS

The FAA released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for converting SLC-37 at the cape to a twin Starship pad launch complex. According to it, the boosters and ships would be transported horizontally via barge from the Port of Brownsville to CCSFS, Port Canaveral, Hangar AF Wharf, or KSC wharfs, and then delivered to the launch site via over-the-road transport.

In addition to the map, a table was provided stating the annual potential launch, landing and test rates:

Activity	Quantity
Launches	76
Scrubs (up to 20% of launches)	16
Super Heavy Landings (shortly after launch)	76
Starship Landings (after completion of mission)	76
Maximum Total Launch and Landing Activities	244
Starship Static-fire Tests	76
Super Heavy Static-fire Tests	76
Maximum Total Test Activities	152
Maximum Total Activities	396

March 2025

On 3 March 2025, SpaceX gave an update on their plans and current status at their Florida sites, including the future construction of a Gigabay (see here), work at LC-39A (see here) and plans for SLC-37.

SpaceX is exploring the possibility of conducting Starship launches from Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) to support the flight rate required for making humanity a multiplanetary civilization. This includes not only launching cargo and crew, but also deploying propellant tankers for on-orbit refuelling. SpaceX has been granted a limited Right of Entry for SLC-37 to carry out further due diligence in preparation for an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), which is being led by the Department of the Air Force for proposed Starship and Super Heavy operations at CCSFS. SLC-37 was originally constructed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. NASA utilized the pad between 1964 and 1968 for testing Saturn I and Saturn IB rockets during the Apollo program. From 2002 to 2024, the pad served as the launch site for the Delta IV rocket.

February 2024

As of February 2024, SpaceX and the US department of the Air Force are actively pursuing a plan to assume control of Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) for the purpose of conducting Starship launches and landings, mainly national security payloads by the U.S. department of the Air Force (DAF). This initiative coincides with the upcoming final launch of the Delta IV Heavy, which currently utilizes SLC-37.

To ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, the U.S. department of the Air Force (DAF) is currently preparing for an environmental impact statement (EIS). This assessment aims to evaluate and mitigate any potential impact on the surrounding ecosystem, wildlife, and local communities.

While the environmental review is underway, they acknowledge the potential unsuitability of SLC-37 for Starship launches. In anticipation of this scenario, the DAF and SpaceX have identified an alternative solution. An undeveloped area situated between SLC-37 and SLC-40, aptly named SLC-50, has been identified as a potential location for a new Launch Complex dedicated to facilitating Starship launches and landings.

Environmental Impact Statement

In February 2024, an official website for the Environmental Impact Statement for SpaceX's Starship-Super Heavy operations at the Cape was set up. The purpose of the EIS, prepared by the U.S. Department of the Air Force, is to:

• Describe the affected environment
• Evaluate potential impacts from the proposed action and alternatives
• Propose mitigation to avoid, minimize, or reduce potential for adverse impacts

This action is in line with the “Commercial space launch cooperation” (10 U.S.C. Section 2276(a)) with the goal to:

• Maximize the use of the U.S. Department of Defence (DOD) space transportation infrastructure by the private sector in the U.S.
• Maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the space transportation infrastructure of the DOD.
• Reduce the cost of services provided by the DOD related to space transportation infrastructure at launch support facilities and space recovery support facilities.
• Encourage commercial space activities by enabling investment by covered entities in the space transportation infrastructure of the DOD.
• Foster cooperation between the DOD and covered entities.

Timeline

• February 2024: Public Notice of Intent
• March 2024: Conducting scoping meeting and solicit public comments
• Spring / Summer 2024: Conduct studies and evaluations and prepare the Draft EIS

Gallery

Debris from ULA structures at SLC-37

Liftoff for a Delta IV Medium at SLC-37