[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 84667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24561]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Availability for a Written Re-Evaluation of the Final 
Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super 
Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in 
Cameron County, Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, Council on Environmental Quality NEPA-implementing 
regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Written Re-
Evaluation for the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the 
SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program regarding updates to 
the forward heat shield interstage, sonic boom coverage, use of the 
deluge system during return to launch site landings, and use of US 
Coast Guard Safety Zones at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in 
Cameron County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hanson, FAA Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, 
Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591; phone 847-243-7609; email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f9b89480d7b198978a9697b99f9898d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="73321e0a5d3b121d001c1d331512125d141c05">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Written Re-Evaluation evaluated whether 
supplemental environmental analysis was needed to support the FAA 
Office of Commercial Space Transportation decision to issue a 
modification to SpaceX's vehicle operator license for the operation of 
the Starship/Super Heavy launch vehicle at its existing Boca Chica 
Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. The affected environment and 
environmental impacts of Starship/Super Heavy operations and the 
construction of launch-related infrastructure at the Boca Chica Launch 
Site were analyzed in the 2022 Final Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program 
at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas (2022 
PEA). The FAA issued a Mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact and 
Record of Decision based on the 2022 PEA on June 13, 2022.
    SpaceX recently provided the FAA with additional information 
regarding updates to the forward heat shield interstage, sonic boom 
coverage, use of the deluge system during return to launch site 
landings, and use of US Coast Guard Safety Zones.
    Based on the analysis within the Written Re-Evaluation of the 
additional information, the FAA concluded that the issuance of a 
modification to SpaceX's vehicle operator license for Starship/Super 
Heavy operations conforms to the prior environmental documentation, 
that the data contained in the 2022 PEA remains substantially valid, 
that there are no significant environmental changes, and all pertinent 
conditions and requirements of the prior approval have been met or will 
be met in the current action.
    Therefore, preparation of a supplemental or new environmental 
document is not necessary to support the Proposed Action.
    The Written Re-Evaluation is available at: www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on: October 12, 2024.
Stacey Molinich Zee,
Manager, Operations Support Branch, Office of Commercial Space 
Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2024-24561 Filed 10-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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