BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – SpaceX is asking the FAA to let it launch double the number of times it already does now at a record-breaking pace.
The annual launch record in Florida has been broken each of the last few years, and this proposal would almost certainly help shatter 2024′s record of 93 launches.
Of those, 59 were from Space Launch Complex 40, and SpaceX is now asking the FAA to launch up to 120 times a year there.
Space journalist and scientist Dr. Ken Kremer said there would be an economic benefit of upping operations to that degree, but disruptions could pop up, as well.
“If you’re gonna double the number of launches, you’re gonna need, basically, constant notification, almost, to the FAA to make sure those airspaces are clear,” the SpaceUpClose.com editor said.
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Keeping boaters away from launch pads is a concern, too.
During the Crew-10 launch on Friday, a NASA broadcaster noticed a sailboat in the background before a Falcon 9 rocket was launching with four astronauts.
“They are not supposed to be in that location,” Derrol Nail said.
Kremer commented on Port Canaveral being very busy with cruise traffic.
“You just look at that, and you wonder where it’s all gonna fit,” he said.
The FAA’s draft assessment of the SpaceX proposal also takes into account the quality of air and water.
“It will have to be looked at strenuously and scientifically,” Kremer said. “So, yeah, we want the rockets, but we gotta have it done safely.”
SpaceX is also seeking to build a landing zone at pad 40 for boosters.
The FAA said there could be as many as 34 booster landings at the pad in a year.
You can read the draft of the FAA’s assessment for yourself here.
There, you can also submit your comments or concerns about the proposal, and you can also attend a virtual meeting coming up in April.
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