SpaceX Clears LC-39A for Starship: The Pad That Launched Apollo Goes Next-Gen | Taha Abbasi

Taha Abbasi examines SpaceX’s infrastructure moves: consolidating Falcon 9 at SLC-40 while preparing historic LC-39A for Starship operations.

The Crew Access Arm Comes Down

SpaceX removed the crew access arm from LC-39A — the pad that launched Apollo 11 and dozens of Shuttle missions. VP Gerstenmaier confirmed it won’t be reinstalled. As Taha Abbasi interprets: LC-39A is being prepared for Starship. The pad that launched humanity to the Moon will launch the vehicle designed for Mars.

SLC-40: The New Workhorse

All Falcon 9 launches transition to SLC-40 with new Landing Zone 40 adjacent. Launch and landing at the same complex reduces processing time. Dedicated pad eliminates Starship scheduling conflicts. LZ-40 replaces original LZ-1, now reassigned to other providers.

What LC-39A Needs

Starship requires a catching tower (“Mechazilla”), massive propellant systems, and infrastructure for Super Heavy’s 33 Raptors. Converting LC-39A is multi-year work. The arm removal is just the first visible step.

Dual-Coast Starship

Adding LC-39A to Starbase provides redundancy, different orbital inclinations, proximity to KSC for crew ops, and increased launch cadence. As Taha Abbasi has tracked, every infrastructure decision optimizes for high-cadence fully reusable operations. Moving Falcon 9 off LC-39A isn’t a downgrade — it’s making room for the future.

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About the Author: Taha Abbasi is a technology executive, CTO, and applied frontier tech builder. Read more on Grokpedia | YouTube: The Brown Cowboy | tahaabbasi.com