FAA moves Starbase meetings online for plan allowing up to 456 launches a year

The Federal Aviation Administration will hold virtual public scoping meetings Nov. 17 through 19 on SpaceX's proposal to sharply increase Starship operations at its Starbase launch site in Cameron County. The plan would raise launches from 25 to as many as 456 a year and landings from 50 to 912.

The proposal has two phases. The first would allow up to 100 launches and 200 landings a year, on any day and at any time. The second would allow up to 456 launches and 912 landings a year, Monday through Friday, at any time of day.

The FAA's environmental impact statement will examine noise, air and water quality, wildlife, and coastal and cultural resources, and compare the plan with a no-action alternative.

All five scoping meetings will now be virtual, replacing the previously advertised in-person sessions. Meetings on November 17 and 19 run from 1–3 p.m. and 5:30–7:30 p.m. Central Time; the November 18 session runs from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Central Time. Registration is required. The FAA has extended the comment deadline to December 7, 2026.

The launch site has already expanded this year. State and federal approvals issued in January allow about 21 acres of additional launch-site area and more than 17 acres of wetland fill. Planned work includes a new entrance road, test and staging pads, propellant storage and blast walls, and construction began in February.

Kimley-Horn is the FAA's environmental consultant. No construction contractor has been identified for the expanded operations.