Posted: Fri, Aug 8, 2008, 8:30 AM ET (1230 GMT)
The US Air Force announced Thursday that it has assigned control of an inactive launch site on Cape Canaveral to a state agency, which plans to convert the site into one that can support commercial launches. Launch Complex 36, built in the early 1960s and uses for Atlas launches until its deactivation in 2004, will now be operated by Space Florida and rebuilt to support launches of small to medium-class vehicles. Space Florida received $14.5 million from the state legislature for fiscal year 2009 to begin work on overhauling the launch complex. The total cost of redeveloping the launch site could exceed $100 million.

Related Links:

•  Florida Today article
•  Orlando Sentinel article
•  Space Florida press release
•  US Air Force press release