The First-Ever Rocket Launches from US Territorial Waters Mark a New Era in Space Exploration

Rocket launches from a floating platform in US territorial waters have been successfully conducted by two companies: The Spacesport Company and Evolution Space.

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The Spaceport Company hosted Evolution Space's four sounding rocket launches as part of a proof-of-concept test for offshore launches.

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Approvals from the FAA, US Coast Guard, and clearance of airspace and waters were required for the launches.

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The Spaceport Company plans to develop floating launch platforms based on a lifeboat design, eliminating the need for land-based infrastructure.

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The platforms will accommodate small launch vehicles with payloads of up to approximately 1 ton in low Earth orbit.

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The at-sea launches are expected to have fewer environmental impacts compared to land-based launches.

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SpaceX joined a lawsuit regarding the environmental concerns and hazards associated with the recent launch of the Starship system.

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Launching at sea is seen as the most viable solution to address spaceport congestion and community opposition.

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The development of sea-based spaceports offers a potential solution to the challenges faced by traditional launch sites, benefiting space exploration and satellite deployment.

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