Florida's plans to construct a commercial space launch complex near the Kennedy Space Center is in hot water due to protests from environmentalist organizations and other local groups.
The problem stems from the fact that Florida wants to build the space complex in an area referred to as Shiloh, which is designated as a federal wildlife refuge. The area marked out for the construction project spans around 200 acres in total, which also happens to be part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
"The proposed Shiloh launch site is the wrong site", said Florida Wildlife Federation (FWF) president Manley Fuller in a statement on the FWF site. "Shiloh lies in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge known for its superlative fish and wildlife habitat."
While the area designated for the space complex is only a small part of the refuge's total land area of 140,000 acres, groups opposing the plan are worried about the displacement of local flora and fauna in the area.
"It is known across the country for outstanding outdoor recreation including salt water fishing, wildlife observation and hunting for the American public and international visitors," said Fuller "Industrialization of the Refuge is counter to its mission and there are other suitable sites off this valuable conservation and recreation area. Our issue is not with the spaceport but with this location."
Meanwhile, proponents of the commercial space launch complex say that the proposed project will be crucial to the growth and expansion of the aerospace industry in Florida.
"The Shiloh Launch Complex would accommodate up to 24 launches per year (12 launches per vertical launch facility), as well as up to 24 static fire engine tests or wet dress rehearsals per year (12 static fire engine tests or wet dress rehearsals per vertical launch facility)," stated the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "The vehicles to be launched include liquid fueled, medium- to heavy-lift class orbital and suborbital vertical launch vehicles."
In recent years, there has been a surge in interest regarding commercial space travel. With corporate heavyweights like Virgin and Elon Musk's Space X weighing in on the matter, commercial space flight technology has been advancing by leaps and bounds. However, the availability of a space complex for civilian use is one of the most difficult hurdles these companies are facing.
Last Monday, a congressional panel convened to discuss whether it was possible to build the space complex close to existing USAF and NASA facilities. A public hearing hosted by the FAA regarding the proposed Shiloh Launch Complex was also held at the New Smyrna Beach High School. Another FAA public hearing was held at the Eastern Florida State College Titusville Campus on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
