SpaceX’s ambition to conduct a second launch of its Starship/Super Heavy rocket faces regulatory scrutiny as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet authorized the proposed Flight 2. The announcement came after SpaceX completed a mishap investigation under FAA oversight following its test flight on April 20, 2023, in Boca Chica, Texas.
“As a result of that launch, SpaceX completed a mishap investigation with FAA oversight; this investigation analyzed the launch, mishap events, and corrective actions,” said the FAA SpaceX Boca Chica Project Team, according to an update shared on Friday and seen by Tesla North.
Before SpaceX can proceed with its second Starship/Super Heavy launch, the company must obtain a modified license from the FAA. This license must address all safety, environmental, and other regulatory requirements. As part of the license application process, the FAA will review new environmental information, including changes related to the launch pad and other proposed vehicle and flight modifications.
“The FAA will complete a Written Reevaluation (WR) to the 2022 Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) evaluating the new environmental information, including Endangered Species Act consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” stated the FAA SpaceX Boca Chica Project Team.
If the FAA determines that the contents of the PEA are no longer valid due to the proposed changes for Flight 2, an additional environmental review will be required.
“Accordingly, the FAA has not authorized SpaceX’s proposed Flight 2,” confirmed the FAA SpaceX Boca Chica Project Team.
The FAA will continue to provide updates on any license determinations or results of additional environmental reviews through notifications, it says.
The full text is below from the FAA:
SpaceX conducted a test flight of the Starship/Super Heavy at Boca Chica, TX on April 20, 2023. As a result of that launch, SpaceX completed a mishap investigation with FAA oversight; this investigation analyzed the launch, mishap events, and corrective actions. Before it is authorized to conduct a second Starship/Super Heavy launch, SpaceX must obtain a modified license from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental, and other regulatory requirements. As part of that license application determination process, the FAA will review new environmental information, including changes related to the launch pad, as well as other proposed vehicle and flight modifications. The FAA will complete a Written Reevaluation (WRR) to the 2022 Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) evaluating the new environmental information, including Endangered Species Act consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If the FAA determines through the WR process that the contents of the PEA do not remain valid in light of the changes proposed for Flight 2, additional environmental review will be required. Accordingly, the FAA has not authorized SpaceX’s proposed Flight 2.
The FAA will provide updates with notification of any license determination or results of additional environmental review.
Thank you,
The FAA SpaceX Boca Chica Project Team
Earlier this afternoon, the SpaceX team said on X, “Starship represents a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond,” and shared some new photos of Starship stacked.
Starship represents a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond pic.twitter.com/lNZY0isCMV
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 15, 2023
