Starbase Boca Chica TX (SpaceX)
In 2019, the FAA completed a reevaluation of the SpaceX facilities in South Texas, and in particular the revised plans away from a commercial spaceport to more of a spaceship yard for building and testing rockets at the facility, as well as flying different rockets—SpaceX Starship and prototype test vehicles—from the site than the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy envisioned in the original 2014 environmental assessment. In May and August 2019, the FAA issued a written report with a decision that a new supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would not be required. In May 2021, the FAA issued a written FAQ regarding the FAA’s Environmental Review of SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Operations at the Boca Chica Launch Site.
In 2022, Starship had been delayed extensively from an orbital flight due to a delay in an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) license to allow findings on environmental impact. On 13 June 2022, the FAA announced that Starbase was not creating a significant impact to the environment, yet listed more than 75 actions to be taken before review of an orbital launch license. Some of these actions include $5,000 contributions to wildlife non-profits in the area, making sure roadways stay open on certain days of the year, and actions to protect local sea turtle populations.
SpaceX Starbase launch control center, tracking station
SpaceX Starbase launch facility
SpaceX Starbase Boca Chica TX
Footnote
- Sources: SpaceX Starship, funkystuff.org
- Outgoing: SpaceX
- Keywords: Starbase, Spaceport, construction, launch, docking, landing