An environmental review brings SpaceX one step closer to increasing the launch rate of its Starship vehicle from Texas.

Introduction to the Environmental Review

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released on November 20, 2024, an updated version of a draft environmental assessment regarding the potential increase in the number of annual launches and landings for the Starship/Super Heavy system from SpaceX's Starbase test site located in Boca Chica, Texas. This comprehensive assessment focuses on the environmental impacts of increasing the annual launch and landing count to a maximum of 25 for both the Starship and its Super Heavy booster.

The Super Heavy booster separates from the Starship upper stage on its Nov. 19 test flight. Credit: SpaceX

Public Comment and Feedback Process

The release of this updated draft signifies the commencement of a public comment period, running through January 17, 2025. During this time, the FAA will be conducting five public meetings aimed at gathering stakeholder and community input. Out of these, four meetings will occur in person across various locations in Texas, while an online forum will be held on January 13, 2025.

Meeting Format: The meetings will be structured to encourage feedback and facilitate discussion regarding the assessment's findings.
Prior Meetings: Initially scheduled public hearings in August for an earlier draft were postponed, with the FAA citing the need for additional information from SpaceX.

Environmental Assessment Findings

The draft environmental assessment does not provide a definitive recommendation concerning the launch frequency increase but indicates minimal environmental concerns that could hinder this upgrade. Notably, the FAA's findings suggest:

Assessment Aspect	Details
Launch Frequency	Potential increase to 25 launches and 25 landings annually.
Environmental Impact	No significant environmental changes noted that would obstruct the proposal.
Public Input	Public comment period set for feedback and assessment adjustment.

Evaluating SpaceX's Compliance with Regulations

According to the FAA, based on its findings, the proposed modification to SpaceX's existing vehicle operator license aligns with previous environmental documentation. This includes consistency with conditions established in the 2022 Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA). The FAA concluded:

“The modification of SpaceX’s existing vehicle operator license for Starship/Super Heavy operations conforms to prior environmental documentation, consistent with the data contained in the 2022 PEA.”

Future of SpaceX Launches at Starbase

A formal decision regarding the final approval will be contingent on the closing of the public comment period and subsequent review of the feedback received. The FAA has not yet specified the timeframe for this decision-making process.

Current Launch Restrictions

Presently, under earlier environmental evaluations, SpaceX is permitted to conduct a maximum of five Starship/Super Heavy launches annually from the Boca Chica site. For context, SpaceX executed its fourth such launch on November 19, 2024, albeit aborting the planned catch landing of the Super Heavy booster at the designated launch site.

Event	Details
Previous Launch History	SpaceX performed four launches this year, the most recent on Nov. 19.
Landing Issue	Booster landing attempt was aborted due to a communication issue with the launch tower.

Conclusion

This ongoing assessment and the potential increase in launch capacities marks a significant step in SpaceX's ambitions to expand its Starship operations. By allowing for additional launches, such as the recent operational tests, the FAA's findings may propel SpaceX toward achieving its long-term goals in the aerospace field. The analysis, bolstered by public engagement, reinforces the commitment to not only advancing technological capabilities but also ensuring environmental stewardship throughout the process.

For More Information:

Read more about SpaceX's environmental compliance and forthcoming launch plans at SpaceNews.