On March 7, 2023, the US Space Force, along with the Department of the Air Force, held the third of three in-person meetings in the Cape Canaveral / Titusville area, The purpose of the meetings was to provide information about a proposed Environmental Impact Study that would ultimately see SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy rocket launch and land at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
“An Environmental Impact Study is vital for ensuring that our strides in space exploration do not come at the expense of the planet,” explained Dr. Helen Torres, an environmental scientist who spoke at the hearings. “It’s about finding a balance between innovation and conservation.”
The timeline for the study has been a topic of considerable discussion. Preliminary assessments began in early 2023, with the findings presented at the Titusville hearings marking an important phase in the process. “We are currently in the public engagement stage, which will be followed by a review and revision period based on the feedback received,” noted Michael Johnson, a spokesperson for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which is collaborating with SpaceX on the project.
At these meetings, the public was able to ask public affairs officials about the ramifications of SpaceX using launch pad SLC-37 or building a new launch complex, SLC-50, between current pads SLC-37 and SLC-40 on the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Either of those facilities that could be used for Starship operations if they are chosen and later constructed.
Officials from the Department of the Air Force, US Space Force, the Federal Aviation Administration, US Coast Guard, NASA, and the US Coast Guard were present today to answer questions from a large number of members of the public interested in learning more about the DAF / SpaceX proposed action. Visitors could also submit their comments in person, which many folks took the time to do in the past three days.
Participants at the hearings expressed a range of opinions. Some voiced concerns about the potential for noise pollution and harm to local ecosystems, while others highlighted the importance of advancing human spaceflight capabilities.
Online Meeting Coming Soon
For those who could not attend the information sessions in Cocoa, Titusville or Cape Canaveral in person, there is one remaining meeting, this time online. Interested parties can attend on virtually on March 12th at 6:00 PM EDT by going to spaceforcestarshipeis.com, and look under “Public Meetings.”
Exactly What Is An EIS?
An Environmental Impact Study takes a look at multiple factors that could be affected by a project like a re-engineered or new launch pad at Cape Canaveral.
- Those factors include:
- Airspace and maritime resources
- Air quality
- Climate change
- Noise
- Cultural resources
- Biological resources
- Water resources
- Hazardous materials and wastes
- Land use
- Infrastructure and utilities
- Geology
- Socioeconomics
- Environmental justice
- Safety and occupational health
- Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966
SpaceX has said their goal is to have the new Starship-Super Heavy launch complex operational by 2026, subject to environmental approvals.
The Role of the FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for commercial spaceflight as well as its traditional roles in aircraft such as private planes, and commercial airlines, among others. One thing that was not included in the EIS public handouts was specifically what their role is in terms of Starship launches from the Cape.
Notable: the Environmental Impact Statement will fulfill the FAA’s obligation for an environmental review, and any mitigations deemed necessary will need to be completed in order for the FAA to issue SpaceX a launch license (after the pad is constructed.)
Parts of this story were originally written by FMN’s Charles Boyer for Talk of Titusville. Mark Stone contributed to this article.
