SpaceX is building a 380-foot-tall 'Gigabay' assembly facility at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A as it works to establish Starship operations on Florida’s Space Coast. The structure, set to become the primary processing hub for Starship vehicles in the state, is part of a broader effort to expand infrastructure at both Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 37. Dr. Don Platt, a professor at Florida Tech, said the facility’s progress is a clear indicator of SpaceX’s commitment to Florida. 'If it looks like it’s finishing up, then you know they’re definitely ramping up,' Platt said last week. SpaceX has previously aimed to launch Starship from Florida by year’s end, though the timeline depends on test flights in Texas. 'We’ve got to get these next two more test flights from Texas first,' Platt added. SpaceX’s COO Gwynne Shotwell told CNBC a Starship launch from Florida could happen as soon as this fall, but only after successful orbital test flights from Texas. Construction of the Gigabay facility has been ongoing since 2023, with SpaceX also upgrading roads and utilities near Launch Complex 39A to support heavy vehicle traffic. The company’s Florida footprint is growing rapidly, with workers now present at both Kennedy and Cape Canaveral sites. However, delays in Texas—where Starship has experienced explosions during recent test flights—could push Florida’s timeline beyond 2024. Meanwhile, SpaceX launched 52 Starlink satellites from California earlier this month, just days after its $85.7 billion public offering. The company’s dual focus on Starlink and Starship has made it the most valuable private company in the world. Local officials have welcomed the expansion, though some residents near the Space Coast have raised concerns about traffic and noise from increased rocket activity. 'It’s a huge deal for Brevard County,’ said one county commissioner. 'But we need to make sure the community’s needs are addressed alongside SpaceX’s goals.'