SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Project at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
Project Updates
Proposed Action
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the lead Federal agency intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of issuing a commercial launch vehicle operator license to SpaceX for the Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. SpaceX proposes to construct launch, landing, and other associated infrastructure at and in proximity to LC-39A. The proposal would also include Starship-Super Heavy launches at LC-39A; recoverable Super Heavy booster and Starship landings at LC-39A or on a droneship; and expendable Super Heavy booster and Starship landings in the ocean.
SpaceX must obtain a vehicle operator license from FAA for Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations. Issuing a vehicle operator license and approving airspace closures is considered a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In consideration of SpaceX’s revised proposal, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and FAA have determined that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the appropriate level of NEPA analysis to address the adjusted scope of Starship-Super Heavy at LC-39A. SpaceX will prepare the EIS under the supervision of the FAA which will serve as the lead agency at NASA’s request. While the 2019 Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by NASA provides an analytical baseline, the environmental impacts of these proposed changes to Starship-Super Heavy LC-39A development and operations will be specifically analyzed in this EIS.
The EIS will consider the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. The successful completion of the environmental review process does not guarantee that the FAA would issue a vehicle operator license. The project must also meet all FAA safety, risk, and indemnification requirements for the appropriate license.
Scoping Period
Providing Public Comments
The FAA published the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of issuing a commercial launch vehicle operator license to SpaceX for the Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle at LC-39A at KSC, Florida on May 10, 2024, on the Federal Register.
Publication of the NOI initiated the public scoping period. The FAA invited interested agencies, organizations, Native American Tribes, and members of the public to submit comments to inform the FAA on the significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the EIS (e.g., range of actions, alternatives, environmental impacts). Comments, statements, or questions concerning scoping issues were identified and were provided to FAA as follows:
- Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Docket retrieved by conducting a search for “FAA-2024-1395” and following the online instructions for submitting comments.
- By U.S. mail to Ms. Eva Long, FAA Environmental Protection Specialist, c/o Leidos, 2877 Guardian Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.
The FAA encouraged submitting comments electronically through the Federal E-Rulemaking Portal. All comments received were posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov. The public scoping period ended on June 24, 2024. All comments will receive the same attention and consideration in the preparation of the EIS.
Participating in Public Scoping Meetings
FAA held three IN-PERSON scoping meetings and one VIRTUAL public scoping meeting. The meetings allowed the public to receive information on the Proposed Action, meet lead and cooperating agency representatives, and provide comments to the record.
The IN-PERSON meetings were held on June 12, 2024, and June 13, 2024.
- The June 12, 2024, meetings were held from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Eastern) at the Radisson Cape Canaveral, 8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920.
- The June 13, 2024, meeting was held from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Eastern) at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, Florida 32953.
- All meetings consisted of an open house information-station format wherein the FAA provided information describing the purpose of the scoping meetings, project schedule, opportunities for public involvement, Proposed Action and alternatives summary, and environmental resource area summary. Fact sheets were made available containing similar information. At any time during the meetings, the public had the opportunity to provide verbal comments to a court reporter or written comments via a written comment form at one of several commenting stations. English-Spanish translation services were provided at the in-person meetings.
Video of the VIRTUAL meeting that was held on June 17, 2024; 6pm – 8pm (Eastern).
- The virtual meeting consisted of a closed-captioned auto-run presentation describing the purpose of the scoping meetings, project schedule, opportunities for public involvement, Proposed Action and alternatives summary, and environmental resource area summary. Presentations were run at the beginning of each hour. Members of the public provided written comments via the chat function during the presentation and for the remainder of each hour. Verbal comments up to three minutes were given after the completion of each presentation. A moderator facilitated verbal comments. English-Spanish translation services for verbal comments was provided. Both English and Spanish versions of the presentation are available at the links below.
If any accommodation for the public meetings was needed, (such additional translation services) members of the public were asked to please submit a request by June 5, 2024, to the project email address: SpaceXStarship39AEIS@icf.com.
Meeting Materials
During the IN-PERSON meetings, members of the public had the opportunity to engage with subject matter experts regarding the Proposed Action. Online copies of the display boards and factsheets presented during the IN-PERSON meetings can be accessed and viewed online below.
Display Boards
Access the display boards in English here.
Accede a los carteles en español aquí.
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Display Board
- Proposed Action Display Board
- Location of Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) Display Board
- Starship-Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Display Board
- Role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Display Board
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Licensing Process Display Board
- Noise Basics Display Board
- Resources to be Studied in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Display Board
Fact Sheets
Access the fact sheets in English here.
Accede a las hojas informativas en español aquí.
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Fact Sheet
- Proposed Action Fact Sheet
- Location of Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) At Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Fact Sheet
- Starship-Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Fact Sheet
- Role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Fact Sheet
- Noise Basics Fact Sheet
- Resources to be Studied in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Fact Sheet
Project Background
When fully operational, SpaceX proposes that the Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle will offer a heavy lift platform that expands the company’s ability to execute the totality of its current and expected future customers’ requirements. By providing a reusable launch vehicle, SpaceX proposes that the Starship-Super Heavy would deliver efficient access to space and enable cost-effective delivery of cargo and people to the moon and Mars. Currently, SpaceX is conducting flight tests of the Starship-Super Heavy at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, an exclusive use launch site that serves as SpaceX’s primary research, development, and flight test launch facility for the vehicle.
In September 2019, the NASA completed the Final Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy Launch Vehicle at KSC (“2019 EA”) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts resulting from construction and operations associated with utilization of LC-39A for the SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle in practical applications. LC-39A is a SpaceX-leased launch site located on northern KSC property and currently supports SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches.
Within the context of the 2019 EA, the scope of the Proposed Action was defined as infrastructure development and Starship-Super Heavy operations. Infrastructure development included construction of a launch mount, liquid methane farm, transport road, deluge water system, landing zone, and high-pressure gaseous commodity lines. Operations involved approximately 24 Starship-Super Heavy launches per year. NASA’s resultant Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) issued on September 19, 2019, concluded that the environmental impacts associated with Starship-Super Heavy infrastructure development and operations would not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the quality of the biological or physical environment. SpaceX did not submit a vehicle operator license application for the Starship-Super Heavy launch operations at LC-39A subsequent to the completion of the 2019 EA; therefore, the FAA did not have a federal action to adopt NASA’s EA/FONSI.
While the purpose and need for Starship-Super Heavy at LC-39A have not changed since the 2019 EA, the Starship-Super Heavy concept of operations has evolved from the original 2019 EA scope. SpaceX now proposes to construct additional launch infrastructure not previously contemplated in the 2019 EA; launch an advanced design of the Starship and Super Heavy vehicle; operate at a projected higher launch tempo; and land the Super Heavy booster at LC-39A in support of the reusability concept. Starship landings are no longer proposed to occur at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
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