June 12 (UPI) — Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration are preparing an environmental impact statement related to licensing for the SpaceX Starship and its super heavy launch vehicle and want public input.
SpaceX wants a commercial launch vehicle operator’s license to use Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the FAA says.
SpaceX also wants to build launch and landing sites near LC 39A to enable Starship launches and landings for the Super Heavy Booster and Starship on LC-39A.
Super heavy recoverable boosters and Starship landings at the launch site or using a drone aircraft and expendable boosters and Starship landings in the ocean are also proposed.
The FAA says SpaceX needs the agency to issue a vehicle operator’s license and approve airspace closures, which the National Environmental Policy Act categorizes as a “major federal action.”
SpaceX also wants to expand its “Hangar X” site on the Kennedy Space Center’s Roberts Road site by 100 acres, which has already undergone an environmental review.
The FAA is the lead agency in conducting the environmental review and will consider potential environmental impacts.
The FAA on May 10 published the notice of intent to prepare the environmental impact statement and encourages people and entities to submit comments online through the federal electronic rulemaking portal no later than June 24.
The FAA will review all comments submitted online.
The FAA also scheduled two in-person public meetings Wednesday at the Radisson Cape Canaveral and one Thursday at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Merritt Island in Florida.
A virtual meeting is scheduled for Monday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM EDT using a Zoom connection and using meeting ID 894 0297 9916.
Those interested may also call 833-928-4608, 833-928-4609 or 833-928-4610 to participate in the virtual meeting.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to discuss the proposal with subject matter experts.
Online copies of the charts and fact sheets used in the face-to-face meetings are available online in English and Spanish.
SpaceX officials say the Starship superheavy launch vehicle is “the most powerful launch system ever developed” and can carry up to 100 people on “long-duration interplanetary flights.”
Called “Starship,” the rocket system enables satellite launch, development of a moon base, and point-to-point transportation on Earth.
#FAA #seeks #public #input #SpaceX #Starships #environmental #impact #Florida #UPI.com
Image Source : www.upi.com