FAA Seeks Public Comment on Increase in SpaceX Launches
Stakeholder Engagement Schedule. Screenshot of presentation presented Tuesday at the Jacob Brown Auditorium.
Public reacts to agency’s revised environmental assessment
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) held two public meetings last Tuesday at the Jacob Brown Auditorium in Brownsville to hear from the public regarding SpaceX increasing operations this year.
SpaceX seeks to increase the number of launches and landings per year up to 25 annual landings of Starship and up to 25 annual landings of Super Heavy. This would be a substantial uptick from the two launches SpaceX conducted in 2023 and four launches in 2024.
According to the FAA, under the National Environmental Policy Act the FAA must consider: “A range of reasonable alternatives, potential environmental or health consequences, Tribal government agency and public input before issuing SpaceX a modified license.”
The public comment period allows individuals to provide their opinion on the proposed increased launch cadence before the FAA’s final licensing decision.
The FAA’s public meetings follow the release of the revised environmental assessment which upholds the 2022 environmental assessment’s findings of “no significant terrestrial habitat and wildlife or marine resource impacts” associated with the increased launch and landing cadence.
South Texas Environmental Justice Network (STEJN) disputes FAA’s findings, claiming SpaceX is “destroying wildlife habitats.”
Josette Hinojosa, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, called the FAA’s findings “disappointing but not surprising.”
“There’s been a disruption of the land, the habitat for endangered species, but also just destruction of the peace of our community in general with each launch,” Hinojosa said.
The revised environmental assessment had a mixed reception from those in attendance.
“On a scale of one to five, five being ‘very useful,’ I would give this a two,” Brownsville resident Gabriella Zavaleta said. “I believe that they just provided information to just cross a box to get SpaceX their permit. It is not information that is new.
Brownsville resident Taylor Blanton expressed support for the increased number of launches, but highlighted the need to protect the environment.
“I believe the environment has to be protected and there has to be a balance,” Blanton said. “I totally support SpaceX because I think it’s good for Brownsville, Texas, United States, the world, and maybe the future of mankind.”
The FAA will host a virtual town hall from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today, register to attend here.
All information provided by the FAA to the public is available online here.
The revised environmental assessment can be accessed here.
The public comment period ends Friday. Public comments can be submitted online here.
