[oittaa]

I don't see why SpaceX couldn't launch from there even if it required some kind of special ITAR permission first. It's not like those haven't been made before if needed. SpaceX has launched EU spy satellites anyway and the US used to launch some satellites with Ariane 5 etc. Or am I missing something here? It just seems like it shouldn't be a big deal if SpaceX constructed a launch site in French Guiana or some other country that participates in American space programs.

[zarzavat]

I think the problem is more logistical. SpaceX does not launch rockets like other companies do. They build them at the launch site and then roll them out and launch them right next to the factory. If they launch from French Guiana they would have to ship the rockets, there, plus build a facility to make repairs and adjustments. It would just be an incredible headache for them.

[oittaa]

> I think the problem is more logistical.

Probably since they could always go back to the pacific islands like in the Falcon 1 days, but logistics to there are even worse.

[njarboe]

Elon Musk has stated that launch pad/landing tower complex is just as important and difficult to build as the rocket. And that building the manufacturing factories and the processes to build one rocket a week is even much harder. Having the factory and launch site at the same location is a huge plus especially given SpaceX's philosophy of quick iteration.