Super Heavy Launch Operations Lining Up to Enhance 

Florida residents will be able to weigh in on the issue of SpaceX Starship launches from Kennedy Space Center Complex 39A at Cape Canaveral before the operations are approved.

The FAA is considering up to 44 Starship launches per year in its Florida backyard, and locals will have a chance to weigh in on the proposition. There are three scoping meetings on the docket at the moment, surrounding environmental impacts of the proposed construction needed for Starship, the actual launches, and the landing operations.

The FAA is mulling over a fairly wide spectrum of operations, with launches of the Super Heavy Starship variant, the Super Heavy booster, and vanilla Starships all in various profiles. The Super Heavy could be launched at LC-39A, and engage in standard landings from its launch point, on a drone ship, or even in the ocean for the expendable boosters. 

It's a lot to ponder, for the usual citizen, which could lead to some pretty acrimonious interactions if a particularly averse crowd attends. The meetings will be held in-person 3 times, with one virtual riding along at the end. 

Of interest is that the original environmental impact studies don't quite cover the current trajectory of Starship operations in the area. Now, SpaceX wants to build new launch infrastructure not previously pondered, launch an advanced design of the craft and the Super Heavy vehicle, and land the Super Heavy Booster in a reusable manner unlike its previous plans. On top of all that, SpaceX wants to undergo a higher operational tempo throughout, which would help them meet the ever-increasing payload needs of the space launch customer base.

"All meetings will consist of an open house information-station format wherein the FAA will provide 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 will be made available containing similar information. At any time during the meetings, the public will have 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 will be provided at the in-person meetings."

FMI: www.faa.gov