By 
May 29th, 2026
Image credit: FAA/SpaceX
FAA Completes Environmental Review for SpaceX Starfall
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued the Final Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starfall reentry vehicle. The review evaluated the environmental impacts of reentry, splashdown, and recovery activities.
Under the proposal, SpaceX would launch two Starfall missions to Low Earth Orbit or to a sub-orbital trajectory as a payload on the Falcon 9 or the Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicles. The capsules would splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the U.S. west coast in international waters.
The completion of the environmental review process does not guarantee the FAA will issue a Starfall reentry license. The SpaceX application must also meet safety, risk and financial responsibility requirements before a license can be issued.
Reentries per year
Image credit: FAA/SpaceX
Under the Proposed Action addressed in the Environmental Assessment (EA), FAA would modify SpaceX’s existing license to conduct up to 10 reentries per year with the Pacific Ocean as its primary landing location.
The SpaceX Starfall concept has largely been a hush-hush initiative by the company, exploring how the microgravity environment can be used for manufacturing pharmaceutical drugs, semiconductors, and other products.
To access the FAA review, go to:
Posted in Space News
