After the first launch of SpaceX’s Starship with a Super Heavy Booster was initially planned for December 31, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided it will take extra time to evaluate the environmental impacts of the launch.
The FAA is delaying SpaceX’s first orbital Starship launch with the company’s Super Heavy Booster to a new target date of February 28, 2022, according to CNET.
Citing a need to complete a thorough and comprehensive environmental review of the mission, the FAA will need to do so before releasing a launch license to SpaceX for the launch event.
In an update, the FAA wrote, “As previously announced, the FAA had planned to release the Final PEA in on December 31, 2021. However, due to the high volume of comments submitted on the Draft PEA, discussions and consultation efforts with consulting parties, the FAA is announcing an update to the schedule. The FAA now plans to release the Final PEA on February 28, 2022.”
SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Gets Damaged During Recovery https://t.co/x0rS1LldpW
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) December 30, 2021
In September, SpaceX head Elon Musk encouraged supporters to comment to the FAA on the environmental review of the Starship launch, allowing for public comment up until October 18, with online hearings having taken place October 6 and 7.
Earlier this week, SpaceX landed its 100th rocket following a mission to deliver gifts to astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS).
A filing this week also shows that SpaceX raised $337 million USD in a recent round of equity funding.
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