>>> Comments due January 17, 2025 <<<
Docket No. FAA-2024-2006
Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for SpaceX Starship/SuperHeavy Increased Cadence
NOTE:
>> The FAA only conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA), not a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), on SpaceX’s proposal.
>> On its project page, the FAA fails to mention Hawai’i or Peru or California as crash zones for these flights.
>> Submit comments electronically to the FAA by Jan. 17 https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FAA-2024-2006-0114
(comment category appears to be “other”, per the heading on the page)
https://www.faa.gov/media/87636
Executive Summary of the Revised Draft Tiered Environmental Assessment for SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Vehicle Increased Cadence at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas November 2024
https://www.faa.gov/media/87646
Full report: Revised Draft Tiered Environmental Assessment for SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Increased Cadence
From FAA webpage:
“SpaceX proposes to conduct Starship/Super Heavy launch operations from the Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. SpaceX must apply for and obtain an experimental permit(s) and/or a vehicle operator license from the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation to operate the Starship/Super Heavy launch vehicle.
The FAA’s evaluation of a permit or license application includes a review of 1) public safety issues (such as overflight of populated areas and payload contents); 2) national security or foreign policy concerns; 3) insurance requirements for the launch operator; and 4) potential environmental impact. Read more about the history of the Boca Chica launch site and the location of the launch site.
The FAA [held] public meetings on the Revised Draft Tiered Environmental Assessment for SpaceX’s proposal to increase the number of launches and landings of its Starship/Super Heavy vehicle at the Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas.
- Up to 25 annual Starship/Super Heavy orbital launches, including:
- Up to 25 annual landings of Starship (Second stage)
- Up to 25 annual landings of Super Heavy (First stage)
The Revised Draft EA also addresses vehicle upgrades.
…The FAA has developed a written re-evaluation (WR) addressing the proposed project updates to the location of the expended forward heat shield in the Gulf of Mexico, additional information regarding sonic booms resulting from a landing of the Super Heavy booster, updates to sonic boom modeling, and updates to use of the water deluge system. The WR evaluates whether supplemental environmental analysis is needed to support the FAA’s decision to modify SpaceX’s operator license.
Based on the WR, the FAA concluded that the contents of the 2022 PEA remain current and substantially valid and that the decision to issue a modification of the existing vehicle operator license for updated operations for the Flight 5 mission profile for Starship/Super Heavy operations at the Boca Chica Launch Site does not require the preparation of a new or supplemental EA or EIS to support the Proposed Action. “
>> Submit comments to the FAA by Jan. 17 https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FAA-2024-2006-0114
https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship
FAA page on SpaceX dockets
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2024-2006-0114
FAA page with Revised Draft EA SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Cadence Increase at Boca Chica_508 and public comments
FAA informational materials for its community meetings:
https://www.faa.gov/media/88766
Powerpoint presentation – English
Accede a la presentación en español aquí.
https://www.faa.gov/media/88756
Script
Accede al guión en español aquí.
https://www.faa.gov/media/88746
Display boards
Accede a los carteles en español aquí.
https://www.faa.gov/media/88736
Brochure (see last page — the rainbow behind the launch pad)
Accede al folleto en español aquí.
Also, this independent article on impacts to Hawai’i:
https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1689159
Also,
https://www.faa.gov/media/76836
Tiered Environmental Assessment for SpaceX Starship Indian Ocean Landings
https://www.faa.gov/media/76841
Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision
Free The Sky 