Kodiak Island spaceport awaits federal approval to quadruple launch capacity

The Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska, is awaiting federal approval to expand its uncrewed launch operations fourfold. KMXT reported that the spaceport has applied to the Federal Aviation Administration to increase its allowed launches from nine to 36 per year. [1]

The FAA is currently reviewing the license application for the facility. According to spaceport corporation staff member Rob Greene, the agency is not expected to make a decision until next year. [1]

The requested expansion comes amid substantial federal investments in defense and commercial launch infrastructure. KMXT reported that millions of dollars from multi-billion dollar federal missile defense programs are flowing into the Kodiak facility as part of an Arctic military buildup. [1]

European settlement on Kodiak Island dates back to 1784, when Russian fur trader Grigory Shelikhov founded a colony at Three Saints Bay before operations shifted to present-day Kodiak in 1792. [3]

Separately, Volcano Discovery reported a minor magnitude 2.3 earthquake 42 miles north of Kodiak on Friday morning. If the FAA grants the expanded license next year, the spaceport expects a substantial increase in operational activity. [1][2]