SpaceX removes historic Crew Dragon arm to make way for Starship launches
A historic launch pad is getting a massive upgrade for humanity's next rocket.
Deep Dive
SpaceX has removed the Crew Access Arm from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, a structure used by astronauts since 2020. This major renovation clears the pad to prepare for launches of the massive Starship rocket, targeted for later this year. All future Crew Dragon missions will now launch from nearby Pad 40, allowing teams to focus 39A exclusively on Falcon Heavy and the upcoming Starship program from Florida.
Why It Matters
This marks a critical physical shift in SpaceX's operations, accelerating the timeline for Starship launches from the iconic Apollo and Shuttle launch site.