Donalds Leads Florida Delegation In Praising The Successful Implementation Of SpaceX's Starship Program

WASHINGTON – Congressman Byron Donalds led the Florida Congressional Delegation in praising Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford for their continued efforts to maintain American dominance in space. Under the Trump administration, SpaceX's Starship operations will primarily occur within the state of Florida. These operations will foster local and statewide economic growth through renewed investment and the substantial addition of jobs across the state. SpaceX Starship will operate from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) within the Kennedy Space Center in 2026. Following that, SpaceX Starship will utilize Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) in 2027. Starship is critical in supporting efforts of national security and NASA-sponsored programs. The Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of the Air Force (DAF), and the FAA have been crucial in supporting and nurturing Starship's presence in the state of Florida. The tactical management and broad coordination of these departments have been critical to the successful start of these Starship flights. Read the full text of the letter here or below: The Honorable Sean Duffy Secretary of Transportation Acting Administrator, NASA 300 E St SW Washington, DC 20546 The Honorable Troy Meink Secretary of the Air Force 1670 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330 The Honorable Bryan Bedford Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 2059 Dear Secretary Duffy, Secretary Meink, and Administrator Bedford: We write regarding your efforts to enable SpaceX's Starship to operate at a high rate from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) within Kennedy Space Center starting in 2026 and Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) within Cape Canaveral Space Force Station starting in 2027. As you know, Starship directly supports critical NASA and national security priorities, including safely landing Americans on the Moon before China and expanding broadband access to millions of Americans. Starship's fully reusable architecture positions the United States to establish a permanent crewed presence on the Moon and ultimately Mars. These operations will principally occur from Florida, fostering a boom in the local economy with billions of dollars of investment and thousands of new high-paying jobs across our state. Your work to integrate these operations into the Cape Canaveral spaceport and into the National Airspace System (NAS) will ensure continued American leadership in space. According to SpaceX, the test campaign that you and commercial partners have performed validates that LOX/Methane vehicle systems like Starship can operate concurrently without any disruption to other companies or to U.S. Government assets. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to safely and effectively integrate Starship flights—and other rockets—into the National Airspace System (NAS). According to the FAA, during Starship’s tenth test flight on August 26, FAA reopened affected airspace within nine minutes—less time than most Florida summer thunderstorms—with no disruption to air traffic, an incredible achievement made possible through your effective tactical management and broad coordination. We are confident that FAA will continue to responsibly and efficiently manage these operations as Starship flights begin in Florida. Thank you for your full and fair consideration of this important matter, consistent with applicable statute and agency guidelines. Sincerely, Byron Donalds (R-FL) Member of Congress Aaron Bean (R-FL) Member of Congress Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Member of Congress Vern Buchanan (R-FL) Member of Congress Kat Cammack (R-FL) Member of Congress Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) Member of Congress Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) Member of Congress Randy Fine (R-FL) Member of Congress Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) Member of Congress Laurel Lee (R-FL) Member of Congress Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) Member of Congress Brian Mast (R-FL) Member of Congress Cory Mills (R-FL) Member of Congress Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) Member of Congress John Rutherford (R-FL) Member of Congress Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) Member of Congress Daniel Webster (R-FL) Member of Congress ###