Space Force acquisition chief says a third launch range is needed by 2030
Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant said on 21 October the Space Force needs a third spaceport for medium and heavy launch by 2030.
The Space Force needs a third spaceport to support medium and heavy launch by 2030, Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, head of Space Systems Command, said on 21 October. He called the goal "aspirational" while stressing the importance of building out military launch infrastructure.
"We need this capability by 2030, but I'm also a pragmatist," Garrant said. "That is not an inconsequential demand to build a spaceport when you factor in orbital regimes, safety, access to commodities. There are a lot of considerations."
The Space Force operates ranges at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Both are expected to run out of space in the coming years as government and commercial launch demand surges. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said in May that the service expects to need a third site capable of heavy and super-heavy launch.
The White House updated its National Space Transportation Policy in August. It predicts annual U.S. launches could reach 1,000 by 2030, a fivefold increase over 2025.
Sourceairandspaceforces.com