SpaceX’s plans to expand its launch operations at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center have ignited a surprising backlash—from a nudist community.
Playalinda Beach, a remote stretch of the Canaveral National Seashore known for its legal nude sunbathing, could see access to the beach reduced by as many as 60 times per year, sparking vocal opposition from nudists, environmentalists and local residents.
Newsweek contacted the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and SpaceX for comment outside normal working hours.
Why It Matters
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing a draft environmental impact statement that would allow SpaceX to launch its Starship rocket system from Launch Complex 39A. The rocket’s size and explosive launch profile would expand exclusion zones, potentially disrupting air traffic, marine activity and access to nearby public beaches, such as Playalinda. Playalinda is one of four public beaches in Florida where nudity is legal.
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What To Know
SpaceX’s expansion plan includes building out infrastructure for Starship, its fully reusable launch system, and could involve landing operations at Kennedy Space Center or on offshore drone ships.
Though construction on a launch tower has already begun, the FAA has not completed its environmental review or granted final clearance for operations.
AANR, however, believes the closures brought about by construction would be damaging to the nudist community and the local environment.
“It’s probably a quarter million people that travel and think like I do, who look for destinations that are beautiful and surrounded by like-minded people,” Deborah-Sue Stevens, a former regional director for the AANR, said during a public hearing in September.
Erich Schuttauf, the AANR’s executive director, warned that the effects could extend beyond the nudist community.
If Playalinda Beach became off-limits, then it would force nudists to visit other beaches, such as the nearby Apollo Beach, another clothing-optional area, which the AANR believed could create tension with locals who would prefer a more “traditional” beach experience.
What People Are Saying
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ office said in a statement on the SpaceX expansion in March: “The project includes at least $1.8 billion of SpaceX capital investment and will bring an estimated 600 new full-time jobs in the Space Coast by 2030.”
What Happens Next
Despite vocal opposition, construction on SpaceX’s Starship launch tower at Kennedy Space Center has continued for over a year. While the FAA has not issued a final decision, the activity on the ground suggests confidence within SpaceX that approval will be granted.
The FAA’s final ruling on the environmental impact statement is expected in the coming months.
