Overview

• The Federal Aviation Administration has authorized SpaceX to increase Starship launches from five to 25 annually at its Starbase facility in Texas.
• The decision follows a multi-year environmental review process, including public comments and interagency coordination, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• The FAA issued a mitigated finding of no significant impact, requiring SpaceX to implement measures addressing wastewater discharges, truck traffic, and other environmental concerns.
• Conservation groups opposed the expansion, citing risks to endangered species such as Rice’s whales, sea turtles, and migratory shorebirds in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas.
• SpaceX must still meet additional FAA licensing requirements related to safety, risk, and financial responsibility before the increased launch cadence can begin.