Cape Canveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 36 has been officially transferred to Space Florida, a state agency, which plans to convert the facility into a commercial space launch complex in the future, according to the USAF.The launch complex is being licensed by the state of Florida as part of a larger plan to develop a duty-free trade zone to the International Space Station following a $14.5 million appropriation by the Florida state legislature earlier this year.
The new facility may eventually cost $100 million and would be designed so several companies could use it, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The state secured a five-year license similar to the one the Air Force granted SpaceX in April 2007. The California company aims to launch Falcon 9 rockets from Launch Complex 40, a former Titan complex, according to Florida Today. The state is seeking a larger share of the commercial space launch business.
"Now we have reached this step, it will certainly move those discussions to new levels," said Deb Spicer, a spokeswoman for Space Florida. Among the companies thought to be interested are Minnesota-based ATK and Bigelow Aerospace of Nevada.
In April, the Virginia legislature approved bonds to improve the launch pads at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and enacted a 'ZeroGravity, ZeroTax' measure to boost commercial space launch at the Wallops Island, Va. launch complex for the Orbital Sciences Corporation Taurus-II.
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