Brevard County, Fla. – A proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could leave beachgoers locked out of one of Florida’s most beloved—and controversial—public spaces: Playalinda Beach.
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The draft proposal, submitted by the FAA, seeks to expand restricted access zones for SpaceX’s Starship launches from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. If approved, Playalinda Beach, located within the Canaveral National Seashore, could be closed to the public for 60 days or more each year, not including delays or scrubs.
And that’s raising more than a few eyebrows—especially given the beach’s reputation as one of the few nude beaches in the state.
“I can see maybe a couple of days out of the year, but not 60,” said local resident Patty Velez. “That’s a lot.”
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The FAA argues that the closures are necessary due to the massive size of the Starship-Super Heavy rocket, which makes nearby areas unsafe during launches. But residents say the safety logic doesn’t add up, and point to what they see as a double standard between Florida and Texas.
A petition circulating on Change.org highlights that in Boca Chica, Texas, residents are allowed to live and work within 2 miles of the Starship launchpad. Yet in Florida, the FAA wants to bar access to Playalinda Beach, which sits outside the FAA’s own 3.11-mile hazard radius.
“This shows a double standard in how restrictions are applied,” the petition states. “Visitors are being excluded from Playalinda Beach even though its main access points fall outside the FAA’s defined danger zone.”
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The petition also raises concerns over static fire closures—which would shut the beach down even for routine engine tests where there’s no launch and no public spectacle.
Residents say the move would not only rob the public of access to a unique recreational space, but also hurt tourism and local businesses.
“It’s hard for us locals,” said Rob Cardan, who frequents the beach and previously worked in the space industry. “This is God’s paradise. It’s clean, people love it, and it’s great for surfing and fishing.”
A quarter mile of Playalinda’s status as a clothing-optional beach adds to its distinct draw, and some locals have expressed frustration that a rocket shaped like a phallic symbol could be the very reason nude beachgoers get pushed out.
“It’s ironic,” one resident said. “We’ve had decades of peaceful coexistence with rocket launches. But now they want to kick us off the beach for a rocket that literally looks like a penis?”
The FAA has scheduled several public meetings to discuss the proposal and gather community feedback:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, Kennedy Space Center (1–3 PM and 6–8 PM)
Thursday, August 28, 2025 at the Radisson Conference Center, Cape Canaveral (1–3 PM and 6–8 PM)
Virtual Meeting: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 from 6–8 PM Dial-in: 888-788-0099 Webinar ID: 892 9206 9685 Passcode: 095859
SpaceX is requesting permission to launch Starship up to 44 times a year from Pad 39A. Park staff estimate this could lead to approximately 60 days of beach closures annually, not accounting for weather delays or mission scrubs.
With thousands of Floridians and tourists visiting Playalinda each year, opponents to the plan say access to public lands should not be sacrificed without clear justification.
“Playalinda Beach is part of our shared natural and cultural heritage,” the petition reads. “Fairness demands equal treatment.”
