FAA to Approve Increase in SpaceX Starship Launches to 25 Annually from South Texas

Nov 20, 2024, 07:49 PM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to grant SpaceX permission to increase the number of Starship launches from its Starbase facility in South Texas to 25 per year, up from the current limit of five. This decision follows a draft environmental assessment that confirms compliance with prior regulations and indicates that no investigation was requested after the sixth flight. Additionally, the FAA will allow SpaceX to continue increasing the size and power of the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage. The Revised Draft Tiered Environmental Assessment also includes provisions for up to 25 annual landings of Starship and Super Heavy, with catches restricted to daytime operations.