This increase is part of SpaceX's broader ambitions to make space travel more frequent and accessible, including missions to the moon and Mars.
The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, recently released an environmental assessment draft of SpaceX's proposal to boost the number of annual launches, as it continues to ramp up its test flights.
To operate at a faster cadence, SpaceX must obtain a new license or a license modification from the FAA to launch and land the Starship, as well as its Super Heavy booster.
The Revised Draft Tiered Environmental Assessment (EA) for SpaceX's proposal to increase the launch frequency of its Starship/Super Heavy vehicle at the Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas, was released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in November 2024.
The FAA is currently reviewing SpaceX's proposal and conducting an environmental assessment to ensure that the increased launch frequency will not have significant negative impacts. The review evaluates the potential environmental impacts of increasing the number of launches and landings from the current limit of five per year to up to 25 per year starting in 2025.
Although the launches would start at the company's Starbase, landings could happen on a floating platform in various locations, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean or the Indian Ocean, according to the draft.
The FAA is considering issuing a new license or modifying the existing license for SpaceX to operate the Starship/Super Heavy Vehicle.
The completion of the environmental review process does not guarantee that the FAA will issue a license modification to SpaceX, as the application must also meet safety, risk, and financial responsibility requirements.
Notably, this year in July-August Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has found that SpaceX repeatedly polluted waters in Texas, violating the Clean Water Act. This could impact SpaceX's plans to increase Starship launches from its Starbase facility.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also notified SpaceX of violations related to wastewater discharge, which could also affect their launch operations.
In 2024, SpaceX conducted two Falcon Heavy launches and three Starship test flights. The Falcon Heavy is one of SpaceX's most powerful rockets, designed for heavy-lift missions, while the Starship is being developed for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
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