Following the successful sixth test flight of its Starship rocket earlier this week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken a major step forward by releasing a draft environmental assessment that could increase SpaceX’s annual launch cadence from 5 to 25 launches.
The FAA’s draft environmental assessment reviews the potential environmental impacts of SpaceX’s proposed operations, including factors like air quality, water use, and wildlife preservation. SpaceX has already implemented mitigation measures from the 2022 assessment, and the FAA has concluded that these efforts remain adequate even as launch activities scale up.
Notably, the assessment covers infrastructure enhancements such as an increase in truck traffic, which could jump from 6,000 to nearly 24,000 annual trips, and a proposed water line to support the site’s deluge system, potentially reducing the environmental footprint.
Before finalizing its decision, the FAA is inviting public feedback through a series of meetings scheduled for January 2025. Stakeholders, including local communities, environmental groups, and industry representatives, can voice their opinions on the draft assessment.
The public comment window, open until January 17, 2025, allows submissions via meetings or directly through the FAA’s online platform. Such participatory measures are essential given SpaceX’s relationship with some local residents and environmentalists, particularly regarding alleged Clean Water Act violations.
However, the revised assessment confirms that these issues have been resolved through agreements with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
While the FAA’s draft environmental review is a milestone, SpaceX must still secure individual launch licenses for each flight, ensuring compliance with safety, risk, and insurance standards. The agency emphasizes that its top priority remains public safety, even as it strives to expedite regulatory processes.
You can read the draft environmental assessment below.
