FAA wants dozens of changes before SpaceX expands Texas launch site
The FAA wants SpaceX to respond to a certain number of environmental concerns before approving an expansion of the launching installation of the base of the base, located on the Côte du Gulf du Texas. The agency asked SpaceX to make more than 75 modifications – according to an evaluation of the environmental impact published today – before the company could use the South Texas site to launch flights to the Moon and Mars. Located near Boca Chica, Texas, the launch site was the center of the controversy after the founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk, revealed his plans to incorporate the surrounding area to support the lunar missions.
As Space News noted, it seems to be more a “yellow light” than a “red light” of the FAA. The agency has published a “conclusion of no significant impact” for SpaceX plans to carry out orbital launches with its Starship spaceship and its super heavy rocket. In a word, the agency noted that there would be no significant environmental consequences – but asks SpaceX to take measures to mitigate environmental damage before being officially eliminated.
Examination of the FAA will only give off SpaceX for five orbital launches per year, as well as five launches and suborbital tests. Many changes offered involve Boca Chica Beach, a nearby public beach that was subjected to closings during vessel tests. The closures have prompted the Sierra Club and other groups to pursue government officials on what they believe to be a violation of the State Constitution. SpaceX will be forbidden to close the road for 18 holidays and will be limited to five weekend closings per year. The FAA also calls SpaceX to limit closures to 500 hours per year for normal operations, with an additional 300 -hour allowance to deal with any urgency.SpaceX seemed to take the FAA exam in stride. “One more step towards the starship orbital flight test,” tweeted the company earlier during the day.
