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Sep 23, 2021

FAA Environmental Draft Review

Posted by in categories: government, law, space travel

A very shallow and not really helpful article on the situation but it does point out that SpaceX has been consistently violating it’s agreed parameters for Boca Chica and has in fact broken the law on several occasions. It’s actually wrong in that the testing of Starship, (so far) has been pretty much covered by the original agreements due to the “prototype” Starship not being much more powerful than a Falcon Heavy. The “problem” here is while the three engine Starship is ‘sort-of’ covered any more engines would not be and the huge number on the SuperHeavy is far beyond any of the agreements and vastly over-powered for the set up in current use. One of the reasons SpaceX, (well Musk really) doesn’t want ‘pubic input’ is because most local residents are not at all happy about the broken agreements and SpaceX’s indifference to the local population and their needs. Something that should be the main ‘take-away’ from this is that while the FAA can refuse to issue permissions and allowances in the end it comes down to SpaceX (again, Musk really) being able to simply launch without those permissions with little chance of significant backlash from the Federal government. SpaceX WILL be liable for damages and injuries from any launch that does not have FAA approval, more so since the FAA could join in or even help organize those law suites due to SpaceX not having the proper permissions, but in the end the FAA can’t really stop them from launching. (Texas can as can the County)


The FAA has already prepared an environmental draft review for SpaceX’s Starship and Super Heavy Booster rocket that would soon have its tests once permitted by the agency. Now, the FAA needs to focus on evaluating and properly assessing SpaceX if the spacecraft and everything that is included with it can be permitted for a flight.

The environmental draft review is one of the few roadblocks which SpaceX has now, especially in continuing with its test flights and looking into the full-stack of Starship and Super Heavy. The FAA also invited the public to convene and share their opinions with regard to the company’s spacecraft for further assessment.

The draft review will be an important piece in the continuation of its testing and approval of the permit, which SpaceX currently does not have yet from the agency.

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