SpaceX requests permission for 456 Starship launches per year in Texas
SpaceX has requested to increase the number of Starship launches from the Starbase site in Texas to 456 per year, according to Bloomberg, citing the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The current limit for Starbase is 25 launches and 50 landings per year. In the new request, the company also expects to receive approval for up to 912 landings of Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy boosters per year, which will allow components to be landed on land or recovered at sea.
The expansion program is planned to be divided into two stages. In the first stage, the frequency will be around 100 launches and 200 landings per year at any time of day. In the second stage, SpaceX plans to reach a figure of up to 456 launches within several years. As noted in the FAA notice, the second stage provides for launches around the clock from Monday to Friday.
In connection with the application, the regulator and the US Department of Transportation have begun preparing an environmental assessment. Experts will assess the consequences of increased environmental impact, air quality, possible disruptions to regional air traffic, and the operation of ground infrastructure. The draft report will be put up for public hearings.
What it means
The FAA will hold public hearings and prepare a new environmental assessment of the impact of launches on the region before making a decision to change the limits.
Sources
- iXBT.com: 456 запусков сверхтяжелой ракеты в год: SpaceX готовит новый масштаб для Starship media outlet
- 3DNews: По два запуска гигантских ракет в день: SpaceX собралась превратить Starbase в конвейер Starship media outlet
- Хабр: SpaceX вернула Starship 40 на Starbase media outlet
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Published 16 October 2026, 06:01 · No updates · Russian original
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