Draft Environmental Assessment Released By The FAA

SpaceX has asked the FAA for permission to recover spacecraft in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a draft Environmental Assessment released by the agency.

“The Gulf of Mexico would serve as a possible splashdown location for Dragon missions originating from the SpaceX South Texas Launch Site (currently under construction) and a contingency landing location for Dragon missions originating from Florida,” the document states.

The Brownsville Herald reports that, according to the document, safety on manned missions is one of the reasons that SpaceX is seeking the authorization for landings in the Gulf. “The ability to return crew to Earth in a safe and timely manner is extremely important, particularly in cases where human life or health may be in jeopardy,” the document states.

The area that would be authorized for splashdowns would stretch from South Padre Island in Texas and follows a narrow band along the coast all the way to the Florida Keys. The draft assessment says that the FAA is considering up to six Dragon landing operations per year in the Gulf of Mexico.

"The successful completion of the environmental review process does not guarantee that the FAA would issue a reentry license to SpaceX," the document says. "The Proposed Action must also meet all FAA safety, risk, and financial responsibility requirements per 14 CFR Part 400. Additional environmental analyses would be required for future SpaceX-proposed activities not addressed in this EA or in previous environmental documentation."

Comments on the proposal must be received by May 4.

(Image from Draft EA document)

FMI: Draft EA, Original report