After the first launch next month, monthly liftoffs from the company's south Texas base will follow. The private space company needs to meet a number of regulatory requirements before it can launch a heavy rocket. Musk said that the ship will be ready to fly in a few weeks. He said that the heavy rocket will be ready for its first test flight in July and that a second ship and booster pair will be ready for testing the following month. The FAA declared that the proposed site expansion in Boca Chica, Texas, would have no impact on the people living in the area, clearing the way for Musk to launch his fully stacked Starship rocket. The result was very much in Musk's favor, considering that an in-depth Environmental Impact Statement could have taken years to complete. The FAA requires SpaceX to complete about 75 environmental actions before it can start its site expansion. The FAA's decision doesn't guarantee a go-ahead for expansion since the agency still has to complete its review and issue safety permits
The environmental review is one of the parts of the FAA launch operator license application. FAA safety, risk, and financial responsibility requirements must be met before a license is issued for any launch activities. The FAA's evaluation of launch permits include a review of public safety issues, as well as national security or foreign policy concerns, and insurance requirements.
Natural resources and sources of drinking water are protected by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps closed the application of the company due to insufficient information. The company's intentions are not known.
The potential for legal hangups should groups decide to appeal any of these decisions is something the public should consider.
The rocket's hardware needs to be ready for its test flight. The upper stage of Starship was demonstrated to be able to launch and land in a series of high altitude tests. For the test flight, the upper stage will be on top of a Super Heavy Booster and will be launched to space, enter Earth's orbit, and return to Earth. The upper stage will splash down off the northwest coast of Kauai, Hawaii, while the Super Heavy Booster will splash down in the gulf.
Raptors, the engine that powers Starship, will need to be stepped up in order to pull off the proposed monthly orbital tests. Each booster requires 33 Raptors and each upper stage needs six to nine Raptors.
Musk is desperate to start launching his company's heavy rockets. The billionaire wants to send people and cargo to the moon and other destinations in the solar system. The next- generation of Starlink satellites will be launched by Musk. The space enthusiast may have to wait a bit longer, but maybe not too long, before he can send his giant rocket to space.
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