Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch vehicle.
Credit: SpaceX

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a “Scoping Summary Report” focused on an environmental assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch vehicle.

SpaceX proposes to conduct Starship/Super Heavy launch operations from the Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. SpaceX is currently developing the new rocket, with the goal of traveling to Mars.

Mars settlement.
Credit: SpaceX

SpaceX must apply for and obtain an experimental permit(s) and/or a vehicle operator license from the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation to operate the Starship/Super Heavy launch vehicle. The FAA’s evaluation of a permit or license application includes a review of 1) public safety issues (such as overflight of populated areas and payload contents); 2) national security or foreign policy concerns; 3) insurance requirements for the launch operator; and 4) potential environmental impact.

Starship test flight.
Credit: SpaceX/Inside Outer Space screengrab

SpaceX currently holds a license for testing Starship prototypes at the launch site. This involves static fire engine tests and a series of suborbital launches (“hops”) from just a few inches to up to 18 miles off the ground.

To read the report, go to:

https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship/