SLC-41

File photo of a ULA Atlas V launching. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
File photo of a ULA Atlas V launching. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

The ever-dwindling supply of Atlas V rockets will shrink by one more in a couple of weeks if all goes to plan for United Launch Alliance. The company announced today that they plan to launch the ViaSat 3 mission in early November aboard the venerable rocket.

(Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Oct. 28, 2025) – Due to the continuation of severe weather impacting launch processing, the launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket carrying the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 (F2) mission for Viasat is now planned for no earlier than Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, pending range approval.

The launch is scheduled for 10:24 p.m. EST at the opening of a 44-minute window, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

Viasat-3 is a three-satellite, geostationary Ka-band constellation planned to deliver global coverage. Operated by Viasat, Inc., the first satellite was launched in 2023. The system is designed to provide 100+ Mbps broadband service to homes, businesses and enterprises, as well as connectivity for commercial aircraft and government users.

This will be a replacement satellite for ViaSat-3 F1, which launched on 1 May 1st 2023 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy. While the payload was delivered successfully by SpaceX, the deployment of the satellite’s antennae was subnominal, and its performance was so poor that it triggered a $420+ insurance claim for payload loss.

Launch schedules being what they are, the potential for this new launch date to move is ever-present, so it will be worth keeping an eye on.

At A Glance

Details
Mission Atlas V 551 | ViaSat-3 — Go for Launch!
Organization United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Location Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket Atlas V 551
Pad Space Launch Complex 41
Status Go for Launch
Status Info Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window Opens Wednesday, 11/05/2025 10:24 PM
Window Closes Wednesday, 11/05/2025 11:08 PM
Destination Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Mission Description The ViaSat-3 series of Ka-band satellites is designed to deliver more than 1 terabit per second of network capacity per satellite, with flexible, dynamically steerable bandwidth to serve customers where demand is highest.
Broadcast Start Time Coverage typically begins ~15 minutes before liftoff.
ULA Streaming Coverage Watch Live on ULA’s Mission Page  |  ULA YouTube Channel
Spaceflight Now YouTube Coverage Watch on YouTube – Spaceflight Now Live Stream

As of 3:57 PM Tuesday October 28, 2025. Launch times are subject to change or cancellation at any time. Consult ULA’s mission page for the most current information.

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As Space Coast skies faded into night, United Launch Alliance launched their Vulcan-Centaur rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at 7:59 PM Eastern Time, carrying the classified USSF-106 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The evening launch, near the end of the one-hour window, was a successful return for the vehicle after its near-catastrophic solid rocket failure in its last launch in October, 2024.

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ULA Vulcan USSF-106 launches in August of 2025. Photo: Charles Boyer
United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan lifts off carrying the USSF-106 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on August 12, 2025
Photo: Charles Boyer ./ Talk of Titusville

United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its Vulcan-Centaur rocket from LC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying the the USSF‑106 mission Tuesday night. Liftoff was at 8:56 PM ET, close to the end of the launch window and into partly cloudy skies, as the usual summer storms were mostly west of the Cape and far away enough to present no problem for the launch team.

This was Vulcan-Centaur’s first operational mission and the first national security payload to utilize its services, a milestone ULA has been working toward since 2014. ULA has faced scrutiny over Vulcan, with military officials calling for more reliability and accountability as the company shifts gearsto its new fleet. There are no more Delta-family launches left, and a dwindling number of Atlas-V launches, most of which are planned for Amazon’s Kuiper Project as well as the Boeing Starliner program.

The DoD awarded ULA a multibillion‑dollar contract in April 2025, securing 19 missions through 2034 under the NSSL Phase 2 procurement. Having completed its certification for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions, Vulcan-Centaur and ULA join SpaceX as one of only two providers cleared to carry critical U.S. military and intelligence assets.

“National security begins at liftoff,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “Vulcan did exactly what it was built to do: deliver a critical mission with power, precision and confidence. We are proud to play a role in strengthening the nation’s space capabilities.” 

A closeup of ULA’s Vulcan-Centaur leaping off of the launch pad on August 12, 2025.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Two methane‑fueled Blue Origin BE‑4 engines power Vulcan Centaur’s core stage, and for this mission, it was equipped with four Northrop Grumman GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters. Two L3 Harris Rocketdyne RL‑10 engines power the second stage, making Vulcan-Centaur a powerful workhorse for the company as it moves into the future.

Payload

The centerpiece of USSF‑106 is the Navigation Technology Satellite‑3 (NTS‑3) a pioneering PNT (position, navigation, and timing) satellite developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. It’s the first experimental navigation satellite launched by the U.S. military in nearly half a century—a milestone with huge implications for future secure and adaptive navigation systems.

Also aboard USSF-106 was another undisclosed payload, and requests to the Space Force for any additional information were not granted. That’s the nature of classified payloads, and the fewer questions asked the better.

A partial view of NTS-3, provided by the US Space Force and L3-Harris
A partial view of NTS-3, provided by the US Space Force and L3-Harris

More information on the satellite can be found in this video:

Next Launch

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-20 Mission Details
MissionFalcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-20
OrganizationSpaceX
LocationCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5
PadSpace Launch Complex 40
StatusGo for Launch
Status InfoCurrent T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window OpensThursday, 08/14/2025 6:47 AM EDT
Window ClosesThursday, 08/14/2025 10:47 AM EDT
DestinationLow Earth Orbit
Mission DescriptionA batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation—SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
Information current as of: August 12, 2025 (based on latest verified sources)

Launch dates and liftoff times are subject to change at any time.

ULA’s next launch is the third Atlas mission for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, Kuiper 3, which will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. That could occur in 4-6 weeks according to unofficial estimates.

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A small jellyfish seen behind an Atlas V

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is gearing up for a Vulcan launch tonight from SLC-41, USSF-106. Liftoff is set between 7:59 and 8:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2359–0059 UTC). And, if weather and timing permits, the launch may come with a bonus: a jellyfish plume, one of the most spectacular sights a launch spectator can see.

The weather looks favorable, with an 80% chance of conditions being acceptable through the launch window. The primary concerns include cumulus clouds, lightning potential, and surface electric fields. This is of course a common scenario for late-afternoon summer launches on the Space Coast. Final launch preparations by ULA and the Space Force, including the launch vehicle readiness review, are complete and “GO” for tonight.

Launch Time Is Near Local Sunset

If the skies cooperate and if the timing is just right, one of tonight’s most awe-inducing side effects could be a “space jellyfish”, a glowing, jellyfish-shaped plume formed by sunlight illuminating rocket exhaust at high altitude, while the ground below remains in twilight or darkness.

Here’s how it works:

  • Timing is critical: Launching during twilight means the rocket ascends into sunlight while observers are in shadow. That’s because on the ground, the sun is below the horizon but is still visible in the ultra high altitudes a rocket travels through on its way to space. That’s simple geometry: the angle to the horizon is different for the rocket.
  • Clear Skies: If low clouds are between the spectator and the rocket, they won’t see much.
  • High-altitude expansion: If you have seen only a few launches, you probably remember the phase towards the end of the first stage’s part of the flight where gases spread into a broad, diffuse cloud that forms a conical shape behind the rocket. This is not the Max-Q contrail, something common to most rockets, instead, it happens very high in the sky when the rocket’s is mostly outside of Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Optical spectacle: Because it is still in sunlight, the rocket plume is an illuminated cloud that takes on a jellyfish-like shapes, maybe with tendrils trailing behind, formed by thinner exhaust streams.
  • Darkness: the relative contrast between the ground and the sky makes this phenomenon highly visible to launch spectators.

Details

Vulcan VC4S | USSF-106 Mission Details
MissionVulcan VC4S | USSF-106
OrganizationUnited Launch Alliance
LocationCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
RocketVulcan VC4S
PadSpace Launch Complex 41
StatusGo for Launch
Status InfoCurrent T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window OpensTuesday, 08/12/2025 7:59 PM EDT
Window ClosesTuesday, 08/12/2025 8:59 PM EDT
DestinationGeosynchronous Orbit
Mission DescriptionUSSF-106 is a mission for the United States Space Force deploying payloads—including NTS-3 (Navigation Technology Satellite 3), a demonstrator of a reprogrammable navigation signal generator—directly into GEO.
Information current as of: August 11, 2025, 12:00 PM EDT

Launch dates and liftoff times are subject to change at any time.

Trajectory

Slightly south from due East:

Weather

The 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 estimates an 80% chance of acceptable launch conditions throughout the hour-long window:

Online Viewing

ULA  will have a livestream of the launch on their website: USSF-106. 

Spaceflight Now will have coverage of the launch starting about one hour before liftoff on Youtube: link

For official updates regarding launch times, ULA’s website is the best source of information. Look for the Live Updates section: USSF-106

Remember that there is a delay between a launch stream and the actual countdown clock. That is simply because of physics: it takes time for the signal to travel from the launch site, through the Internet, and back down to your phone, resulting in a five to fifteen-second delay.

Next Space Flight an app for iOS and Android phones, has a real-time countdown clock that is accurate to a second, give or take. The app is free. Search the App Store or Google Play. They are also on the web: nextspaceflight.com.

Launch Viewing: In Person

The best free options are available for spectators: Titusville parks on Washington Avenu / US-1 are your best bets: Space View Park, Sands Park, Rotary Riverfront Park, Kennedy Point Park, etc. Jetty Park is also good, as are the pullouts on 528W near the Banana River Bridge.

The Space Bar will be open through the launch window. Restaurants in Port Canaveral, specifically Gators Dockside, Fishlips and Grills Seafood should have good views after the rocket clears obstructions.

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Vulcan Cert 2 liftoff
ULA’s Vulcan with the USSF-106 mission on the launch pad.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing to launch Vulcan on its first national security mission early next week from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, the USSF-106 mission will lift off from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 41, carrying the U.S. Space Force’s Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) into geosynchronous orbit.

Launch Details

Vulcan VC4S | USSF-106 (NTS-3 & Others) Mission Details
MissionVulcan VC4S | USSF-106 (NTS-3 & Others)
OrganizationUnited Launch Alliance
LocationCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
RocketVulcan VC4S
PadSpace Launch Complex 41
StatusGo for Launch
Status InfoCurrent T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.
Window OpensTuesday, 08/12/2025 7:59 PM EDT
Window ClosesTuesday, 08/12/2025 8:59 PM EDT
DestinationGeosynchronous Orbit (GEO)
Mission DescriptionUSSF-106 is a U.S. Space Force mission deploying multiple payloads—including the NTS-3 (Navigation Technology Satellite 3), a demonstration satellite testing a reprogrammable digital signal generator to improve navigation resilience—directly into GEO using the new Vulcan Centaur VC4S rocket.
Information current as of: August 10, 2025, 11:54 AM EDT

Launch dates and liftoff times are subject to change at any time.

USSF-106 will be Vulcan’s first operational flight, a milestone years in the making. ULA started work on the Vulcan family of rockets in 2014, and later the same year decided to use Blue Origin’s BE-4 methane-oxygen (methalox) engines. The decision was somewhat controversial at the time, given that Blue had not completed the final design of BE-4 much less started producing them at scale. It is ULA’s first rocket that the company has designed completely by itself.

This decision was a result of a way to move away from reliance on Russian RD-180 engines, which powered ULA’s Atlas V, and to ensure a domestically produced alternative for national security launches, and was mandated by Congress.

High Stakes for ULA

The mission is a key test not only of the rocket’s technical reliability but also of ULA’s ability to deliver on commitments that have been delayed by the vehicle’s troubled rollout. Military leaders, including Major General Stephen G. Purdy, have voiced frustration with setbacks that pushed back four major national security missions.

Vulcan CERT-2, midflight.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

For ULA, this launch is more than just another flight; it is a chance to restore customer confidence after the near-disaster of Vulcan’s second certification mission last October. That launch succeeded in reaching orbit, but only after a solid rocket booster nozzle broke off mid-flight, causing asymmetric thrust that had to be corrected in real time by the in-flight software and by ground controllers. The incident raised concerns about the Vulcan’s Northrup Grumman-built GEM 63XL solid rocket motors, which lead to months of investigation and a test firing before certification for Vulcan was granted in March.

ULA holds a $5.3 billion contract to provide launch services through 2034, a lucrative and strategically important deal that depends on consistent, fault-free performance. A successful USSF-106 flight would help Vulcan’s place as a major part of the nation’s launch capability. A failure would put the company’s reputation and perhaps even government contracts in peril.

Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Payload

The mission’s payload, NTS-3, is an experimental navigation satellite designed to test advanced technologies designed to augment the GPS system.

The Air Force Research Lab released this video describing NTS-3:

NTS-3 concept image
Artist’s concept for NTS-3 in geostationary orbit. L3Harris Corporation will integrate NTS-3 using Northrop Grumman’s ESPAStar bus, building on EAGLE’s flight heritage. Graphic Credit: 1st Lt. Jacob Lutz
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Under clear, hot skies this morning, United Launch Alliance launched one of their fifteen remaining Atlas V rockets carrying 27 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper. Launch was at 6:54 AM from LC-41 at Cape Canaveral and by all appearances, it was a nominal flight for the veteran rocket. This was the 103rd launch for the venerable rocket. The first Atlas V launch was on August 21, 2002. 

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Atlas V with the Kuiper 2 payload at LC-41. Photo: United Launch Alliance
Atlas V with the Kuiper 2 payload at LC-41.
Photo: United Launch Alliance

Amazon’s satellite internet project, Kuiper, will continue its deployment today with the planned launch of the Kuiper K-02 mission at 1:25 PM ET aboard an United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket. This mission will deliver 27 operational satellites into low Earth orbit, adding to the 27 satellites deployed earlier this year in April.

The Kuiper project is Amazon’s initiative to provide broadband internet service through a constellation of satellites. Today’s launch is the second of a series that aims to meet the conditions set by the Federal Communications Commission, which require half of the planned 3,236 satellites to be in orbit by mid-2026. The full network is expected to be completed by mid-2029.

The Atlas V 551 rocket, used for this launch, is among ULA’s more powerful configurations. It includes five solid rocket boosters and a medium payload fairing.

Following deployment, the satellites will be elevated from their initial orbit of approximately 450 kilometers to an operational altitude of around 630 kilometers. From this position, they will begin supporting future broadband service coverage as part of Amazon’s long-term strategy to enter the satellite internet market.

Operational Strategy and Technology Capabilities

Each satellite in the Kuiper constellation is equipped with propulsion and communication technologies to maintain orbit and link with both ground stations and other satellites. The system includes inter-satellite laser links, which allow the satellites to pass data directly between one another. These optical links are designed to support high-throughput connections, improving the flexibility and resilience of the network.

The K-02 mission represents the continued transition from prototype to full-scale operations. The first launch in April tested Amazon’s satellite bus and operational model. With K-02, Amazon is moving forward with production models that are expected to serve as a foundational layer of the broader constellation. The mission is part of a deployment strategy that includes multiple launch providers and vehicle types, including upcoming launches on ULA’s Vulcan Centaur, SpaceX Falcon 9, and the European Ariane 6.

Amazon has publicly committed more than $10 billion to the development and deployment of the Kuiper constellation. The company is building out supporting infrastructure in tandem with the satellites, including user terminals and ground communication sites. The terminals, developed in-house, are designed to be compact and cost-effective. Amazon has said these terminals will support download speeds up to 400 Mbps and will be priced under $400, though full commercial service has not yet begun.

In the near term, newly launched satellites will undergo a series of health and status checks, after which their thrusters will be used to reach final orbit. Amazon’s Kuiper operations team, based in Redmond, Washington, is managing the process, which includes positioning, testing communication links, and preparing the satellites to eventually join the active broadband network.

Trajectory

Northeast.

Kuiper 2 trajectory

Weather

launch mission execution forecast
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Falcon 9, Booster B1077, Astranis 'From One To Many,' September 20, 2024
Falcon 9, Booster B1077, Astranis ‘From One To Many,’ September 20, 2024

Last night the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) convened a virtual public meeting to gather stakeholder input on the SpaceX Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed modifications at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC‑40) on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The session—rescheduled after an April 16 meeting was derailed by a nationwide Zoom outage—marked a critical opportunity for local residents, environmental advocates, industry representatives and government agencies to weigh in on SpaceX’s plan to increase Falcon 9 launch cadence and build a new first‑stage booster landing zone adjacent to the pad.

As it did in its March 2025 Draft EA, if the FAA grants the license modification with a FONSI (Finding Of No Significant Impact), Cape Canaveral could see a surge of Falcon 9 activity, which often sees two launches per week currently.

Conversely, a decision to proceed to a full EIS would extend the timeline and add further analysis layers, delaying the proposed expansion.

Background

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), any major federal action that may significantly affect the environment requires an environmental review. SpaceX has applied for a modification to its existing FAA launch license to:

  • Increase the number of Falcon 9 launches at SLC‑40 from 50 to up to 120 per year.
  • Construct and operate a new first‑stage landing zone (LZ) at SLC‑40 capable of supporting up to 34 booster landings annually. This new landing zone would replace the current areas at LC-13 at CCSFS, Landing Zone 1 and Landing Zone 2, which SpaceX has subleased while Vaya Space and also Phantom Space work towards their first launches on that site.

The FAA’s role is to evaluate potential environmental impacts of those actions—including noise, air quality, wildlife, cultural resources and socioeconomics—and to solicit public and agency comments before issuing a final determination: a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), a Mitigated FONSI, or a Notice of Intent to prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Previous Talk Of Titusville Coverage:

• SpaceX Planning To Build A Landing Zone Near Their Launch Pad At SLC-40

• FAA Posts Draft Environmental Assessment For Increasing SLC-40 to 120 Falcon Launches A Year

• FAA Seeks Public Comment On Increasing Falcon 9 Flights From SLC-40

• FAA Reschedules Public Meeting For SpaceX SLC-40 Environmental Assessment

Draft EA Publication and Public Review Timeline

  • Draft EA Issued: March 14, 2025.
  • Original Public Comment Deadline: April 24, 2025.
  • First Virtual Meeting Scheduled: April 16, 2025
  • Rescheduled Virtual Meeting: May 8, 2025, 6:00–8:00 p.m. ET.
  • Extended Comment Deadline: May 15, 2025.

The FAA’s draft EA and associated notices were published in the Federal Register and in local outlets—including Florida Today and Hometown News as well as here at Talk of Titusville — and hard copies were deposited at area libraries in Brevard County.

SLC-40 Draft EA 91711Download

The Virtual Public Meeting

The May 8 session was well attended and followed a structured agenda:

  1. Opening Presentation by FAA facilitators, explaining NEPA, project scope, analysis methods and opportunities to comment.
  2. Instructions for Commenting—attendees could provide verbal comments (recorded by a court reporter), or learn how to submit online via Regulations.gov (Docket FAA‑2025‑0114) or by mail to Ms. Eva Long at the FAA’s Reston address (address listed below)
  3. Verbal comment session, with speakers called in the order of registration or hand-raising. Ground rules limited comments to three minutes each and reminded participants about public disclosure of any personal identifying information in their statements.

Roughly 30 – 40 stakeholders participated live, including local business owners, environmental interests, space industry representatives, and Brevard County officials.

The slide deck presented is available for review here:

92766 PresentationDownload

Stakeholder Perspectives Shared

Local Residents & Environmental Advocates

In the meeting several speakers raised concerns about:

  • Noise impacts on nearby residential areas in Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island, requesting more analysis on cumulative effects of increased booster landings.
  • Marine life, particularly sea turtles and manatees, urging stronger mitigation—such as seasonal scheduling to avoid nesting periods.
  • Floodplain disturbance, questioning why alternative site footprints were not more fully evaluated.

Industry and Government
Representatives from Space Florida and Brevard County Tourism highlighted the economic benefits:

  • Workforce growth: Increased launch activity sustains skilled aerospace jobs locally.
  • Tourism draw: More frequent launches could bolster space‑coast viewing tourism.

A SpaceX liaison clarified technical details:

  • The new LZ design minimizes environmental footprint by using existing cleared areas and established utility corridors.
  • Noise modeling showed booster landing sonic booms are low‑intensity and would fall well within the thresholds for no hearing or structural damage beyond base boundaries.

Federal and Military Agencies
An official from Space Launch Delta 45 confirmed the policy shift requiring on‑site landings and noted that without a dedicated LZ at SLC‑40, SpaceX’s ability to support Department of Defense missions could be compromised after current off‑site permits expire in July 2025.

United Launch Alliance
ULA has submitted written comments, mainly concerning operational impacts and disruptions to operations at their adjacent launch pad, and also financial responsibility in the case of any damage caused by SpaceX activities.

You can read ULA’s comments in full here:

FAA-2025-0114-0012_attachment_1Download

Have Your Say: How to Submit Additional Comments

Attendees and those who could not join were reminded that all substantive comments, whether verbal tonight, submitted online via Regulations.gov under Docket FAA‑2025‑0114, or mailed to:

Ms. Eva Long
FAA Environmental Specialist, c/o ICF
1902 Reston Metro Plaza
Reston, VA 20190

Submissions must be received or post‑marked by May 15, 2025 to be incorporated into the Final EA.

Next Steps and Timeline

  • May 15, 2025: Close of public comment period.
  • Summer 2025: FAA reviews all comments, works with resource agencies on mitigation commitments, and prepares the Final EA.
  • Late 2025 (estimated): FAA issues either a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or determines that a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required.
  • Post‑FONSI: If approved, SpaceX would apply for the license modification and move into detailed design and construction of the landing zone, subject to any mitigation conditions outlined in the FONSI.

Significance for the Space Coast

The outcome of this EA process carries considerable weight for:

  • Commercial spaceflight growth on the Eastern Range, as SpaceX remains the primary launch provider at SLC‑40.
  • Local economy, with potential for sustained or expanded aerospace employment, supply‑chain activity, and tourism revenue.
  • Environmental stewardship, given Florida’s sensitive coastal ecosystems and flood‑prone terrain.

Key Elements of the Proposed Action

Page 17 of the FAA’s May 9 presentation (link above).

1. Launch Cadence Increase
SpaceX seeks to more than double its annual Falcon 9 launches at SLC‑40, from 50 to as many as 120 per year. Also increased are static fires and booster landings based at SLC-40. This uptick supports both government (DOD, NASA) and commercial missions, aligning with national goals for assured access to space.

2. New Landing Zone Construction
Currently, Falcon 9 first stages from Eastern Range missions land on downrange drone ships or at landing zones 1 and 2 (formerly SLC‑13). Space Launch Delta 45 policy now requires commercial boosters to land co‑located with their launch pad. The proposed LZ would occupy about 4 acres adjacent to SLC‑40, clearing approximately 0.25 acres within a 500‑year floodplain and involving installation of gas lines, a pedestal and minimal new disturbance.

3. Related Airspace Closures
The FAA must also authorize temporary airspace restrictions to ensure public safety during launches and landings—another aspect under NEPA review.

Overview of Environmental Analyses

The EA examines numerous resource areas:

  • Noise: Time‑averaged sound from launches and static fire tests remains below FAA significance thresholds (65 dB A‑weighted Day‑Night sound level) beyond CCSFS and KSC boundaries. Sonic booms from standard trajectories occur over water; polar trajectory booms are not increasing above previously analyzed levels.
  • Air Quality & Emissions: Construction emissions and operational propellant burn were modeled using EPA‑approved methods and found to be minor.
  • Biological Resources: Consultations under the Endangered Species Act with USFWS and NMFS identified no new significant impacts to listed species; sonic boom impacts on critical habitat remain within prior assessed levels.
  • Cultural & Historic Resources: Section 106 coordination with the Florida State Historic Preservation Office and Tribal governments confirmed no adverse effects beyond already cleared conditions.
  • Floodplains & Wetlands: The limited encroachment into the floodplain triggered an explicit Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) under Executive Orders on floodplain management.
  • Socioeconomics & Land Use: Potential benefits include local job support for increased operations; land use changes remain confined within federal property.

Overall, the DRAFT EA concluded that neither the Proposed Action nor the No‑Action Alternative would cause individually or cumulatively significant environmental impacts—with recommended mitigation measures to be finalized in coordination with resource agencies.

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Summer is nearly back on the Space Coast, with warm temperatures and a persistent threat of rain in the afternoon and evenings — typical weather here, and it will stay this way for several months. That being said, Atlas V was able to beat the weather last night and launched at the opening of its window, with liftoff at 7:01 PM ET after an apparently quiet countdown, save for some concerns about the energy potential of a nearby anvil cloud (Cumulonimbus incus) lingering near the launch pad before dissipating.

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