U.S. Space Force: Houston, We Have a Layout! Space Launch Complex (SLC) Design

Discipline: IEMS

Advisor: Luis Rabelo

Old-generation spaceports often face long delays between launches, driving up costs and limiting access to potential missions. Our project focuses on researching and developing a next-gen spaceport built to support faster and more reliable rocket launch turnaround times. By analyzing key infrastructures and existing Space Launch Complexes, we aim to create a layout that maximizes efficiency while ensuring safety. The design will emphasize scalability allowing it to adapt to future rocket technologies, while maintaining flexible for different mission needs. This approach is different from traditional launch complex development as it will prioritize launch cadence from the start, treating the facility more like an airport that can handle frequent and repeatable operations. The result is a system that reduces downtime and lowers operational costs, while also increasing launch capacity. Such a spaceport would benefit commercial space companies, government agencies, and defense organizations while also supporting broader applications like rapid satellite deployment, national security launches, commercial space tourism, and future lunar missions.

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