SpaceX has dismantled the Crew Access Arm at Launch Complex 39A in Florida, clearing the way for Starship launches. Construction crews removed the structure, which astronauts used to board Crew Dragon spacecraft, as part of preparing the pad for the next-generation rocket. Pad 39A has hosted numerous historic launches, including Saturn V Moon missions and Space Shuttle flights, before SpaceX leased it for Falcon 9 and Heavy operations. The move allows teams to focus on Falcon Heavy missions from the pad while shifting most Falcon 9 launches to Pad 40 nearby.

SpaceX plans to launch its first Starship flight from Kennedy Space Center later this year, following test flights from its Texas facility. The Crew Access Arm removal signifies a transition away from Crew Dragon operations at Pad 39A, with future Dragon missions now launching from Pad 40 starting with the Crew-12 mission to the ISS this week. SpaceX's shift reflects its pivot towards Starship development and reduced Falcon 9 launch cadence.