SpaceX Gets Cape OK:

April 30, 2007

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Air Force Space Command has approved a five-year license for SpaceX—Space Exploration Technologies Corp.—to operate from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. SpaceX will have to “pay for all improvements, construction, and maintenance” associated with SpaceX operations at SLC-40 and does not have exclusive use of the site, per an AFSPC statement. SpaceX, created by entrepreneur Elon Musk as a lower cost space launch operation, already has an agreement to operate from the West Coast launch facility at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

T-38 Crash That Briefly Paused Flights Caused by ‘Under-Torqued’ Pin

Space Force Weighs Proliferated Cislunar Satellite Constellation

Flu Vaccine Now Required for Many Airmen, Guardians, and DAF Civilians

Two ‘Non-Hostile’ Deaths Raise Iran War Toll to 23

Related

General Atomics, AFRL Eye Next Steps for Autonomous Drone Concepts

Nov. 3, 2026
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…

First HH-60W Arrives at Andrews for Contingency Response, VIP Transport

Nov. 3, 2026
Like a new car from the dealership, an HH-60W helicopter touched down at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Nov. 2 with paperwork, a set of keys, and that fresh-from-the-factory smell. The newly activated 5th Helicopter Squadron accepted its first “Whiskey” in a brief but pomp-filled ceremony attended by the Air…

T-38 Crash That Briefly Paused Flights Caused by ‘Under-Torqued’ Pin

Nov. 2, 2026
The crash of a T-38 trainer jet this May—which caused a weekslong pause in flights across the fleet—was caused by an improperly installed pin for one of the jet’s horizontal stabilizers, according to a new accident report released Oct. 30. When the pin disengaged midflight, it created the slightest amount…

Key Midterm Election Races to Watch for the Air Force and Space Force

Nov. 2, 2026
Dozens of former Airmen are running for Congress in the 2026 midterms, with Election Day fast approaching on Nov. 3. But the potential impact of the election for the Air Force and Space Force goes beyond just the number of former service members on Capitol Hill—the results will also decide…

Flu Vaccine Now Required for Many Airmen, Guardians, and DAF Civilians

Oct. 31, 2026
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.