The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has concluded its safety review of SpaceX’s Starship rocket, a key step towards the vehicle’s second launch. The review evaluated the potential risks to public health and property associated with the rocket’s launch.
However, before SpaceX can obtain a license for the next Starship liftoff, the FAA is still conducting an environmental review.
“As part of its environmental review, the FAA is consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on an updated Biological Assessment under the Endangered Species Act,” the FAA stated in an emailed announcement. Both agencies must complete this consultation to finalize the environmental aspect of the license evaluation, reports Space.com.
Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever constructed, consists of two fully reusable components: the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. The rocket stands nearly 400 feet tall when fully assembled. Its only test flight to date launched on April 20, 2023, from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas. That mission experienced several issues, including a failure in stage separation, leading to the rocket’s intentional detonation over the Gulf of Mexico.
Following that incident, the FAA initiated a mishap investigation, which concluded on September 8. The agency emphasized that SpaceX must implement all corrective actions impacting public safety and meet all regulatory requirements before receiving a license for a second launch.
The ongoing environmental review is focused on the potential impacts of a water deluge system installed at Starbase’s orbital launch mount. This system aims to protect the mount from the force of Super Heavy’s 33 Raptor engines.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has indicated that the rocket has passed all prelaunch tests and is ready for liftoff, pending the completion of the environmental review.
