Air Force should leave station Cape

Feb. 22, 2013 9:19 AM

Letter: Air Force should leave station Cape
 
Regarding the article “Space Coast pushes for new commercial launch complex.”

Oh really now?

The proposed launch site is on 150 acres between the Brevard and Volusia County lines.

“It would be absolutely amazing to see more rockets launch, more fire and smoke on the Space Coast," said Robert Salonen, with the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. The idea is to build two 75-acre launch complexes, catering to commercial space companies like SpaceX and others.

Now get this. The EDC goes on to say that “SpaceX is already launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, but the project could benefit the company by allowing better access to the pad, without having to go through the government-run and more restrictive Air Force Station.”

Government-run, restrictive Air Force Station?

Why is the Cape still an Air Force Station? There are no longer clandestine operations ongoing at the site. In fact, all military satellites now launched from CCAFS are bought and launched using civilian rockets through commercial contracts.

If you truly want to entice commercial launches from the Space Coast, then get the Air Force off of the launch site. Don’t waste money building new launch pads; just make it easier to access existing launch facilities by eliminating military intervention.

Source:   http://www.floridatoday.com