SpaceX has been granted approval to build two launch pads at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 37 in Florida, the company said Monday. These pads are built for launches from heavier rockets like SpaceX's megarocket, Starship. SpaceX's Starship can produce more than 16 million pounds of thrust from its Super Heavy reusable first stage rockets. By contrast, NASA's Space Launch System is capable of approximately 8.8 million pounds of thrust.

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The two launch pads join SpaceX's existing launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-A, which was designed to support the iconic Apollo program.

"With three launch pads in Florida, Starship will

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