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DannyB [soylentnews.org] writes:

CNBC:
FAA requires SpaceX to make environmental adjustments to move forward with its Starship program in Texas [cnbc.com]

• The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday concluded a long-awaited assessment of SpaceX’s Starship rocket program in Texas.
• In a press release, the FAA noted SpaceX will be required to take more than 75 actions to mitigate environmental impacts before the company can receive a launch license.
• SpaceX needs a license from the regulator to conduct further Starship flight tests and begin operational launches from its private facility.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday said it will require Elon Musk’s [cnbc.com] SpaceX to make dozens of environmental adjustments in order to conduct further Starship flight tests and begin operational launches [...]

SpaceX will be required to take more than 75 actions to mitigate environmental impacts [...] The mitigations include protections for water resources, limits to noise levels, and biohazard materials control, in addition to others.

Among the requirements, SpaceX will coordinate with a “qualified biologist” on lighting inspections to minimize the impact on sea turtles, operate an employee shuttle between the city of Brownsville and the facility, and perform quarterly cleanups of the local Boca Chica Beach.

The company will also contribute to local education and preservation efforts – including preparing a historical context report of the events of the Mexican War and Civil War that took place in the geographic area as well as replicating and installing missing ornaments on a local historical marker. The company will also make annual contributions of $5,000 each to organizations that protect ocelots and endangered birds of prey, as well as a state recreational fishing program.

The FAA also issued new rules for closing the public highway that passes by SpaceX’s facility – such as requiring the road be open on 18 specified holidays and most weekends.

SpaceX has already made changes to its expansion of the Starbase facility, according to the FAA, with the company removing infrastructure plans for a desalination plant, natural gas pretreatment system, liquefier and a power plant.

Space is hard. SpaceX makes space look easy, routine and reusable. The SLS cost plus contracting spice must flow!

See Also:

SpaceX faces NASA hurdle for Starship backup launch pad [reuters.com]

SpaceX gets key environmental approval for Mars rocket — if it complies with some terms [cnn.com]

Musk’s SpaceX Clears FAA Hurdle for Expanded Launches at Texas Facility [bloomberg.com]

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