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SpaceX wants to increase the number of Starship launches from Boca Chica to up to 456 per year, according to a notice published in the Federal Register Wednesday by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The company’s proposed massive expansion in operations would also include up to 912 landings (of Starship and the Super Heavy booster) at Boca Chica Beach per year.
The Federal Register notice serves as the FAA’s announcement of its intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), open a public scoping period, and hold public scoping meetings on SpaceX’s proposal as required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
SpaceX has proposed the expansion in operations in two phases: Phase one would include up to 100 launches and 200 landings (100 each for Starship and Super Heavy) annually, occurring “at any day or time of the week,” according to the FAA.
“As the vehicle continues to mature and reliability improves, launch and landing rates are expected to increase,” the agency said. “Starship and Super Heavy are designed to require minimal post-flight refurbishment (before being re-flown).”
Phase two would see up to 456 launches/912 landings at Boca Chica, according to the FAA.
“Launches could occur at any time of day, but would only occur Monday through Friday,” the agency said. “This phase represents a mature program launching more than 100 times annually and would be implemented within several years.”
The FAA currently authorizes SpaceX to conduct up to 25 launches, and 50 landings, per year at Boca Chica. The agency approved the increased launch/landing cadence — up from the original authorization for up to 12 commercial launches per year — in May 2025 following completion of a Final Tiered Environmental Assessment (EA) of SpaceX’s proposal requesting the change.
The FAA authorized that operational expansion after issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
In the Wednesday Federal Register notice, the FAA describes SpaceX’s Boca Chica launch site at Starbase as an “exclusive-use launch site that serves as SpaceX’s primary research, development, and flight test launch facility for Starship-Super Heavy.”
The FAA said the current public scoping period began Wednesday with publication of the Federal Register notice, and that the agency is requesting comments concerning the scope and content of the PEIS. A draft PEIS will be released for public review and comment at a later date, the agency said.
“FAA invites interested agencies, organizations, Native American Tribes, and members of the public to submit comments on alternatives and impacts and on relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the proposed agency action,” according to the notice.
The Federal Register notice can be found at www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-20963.
Comments, statements and questions regarding PEIS scoping issues must be submitted no later than Nov. 30. Comments may be submitted through the Federal E-Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket No. FAA-2026-12808 to retrieve the docket and follow the instructions to submit a comment.
“Please note that all comments submitted to the docket will be posted on the internet without changes, including any personal identifying information provided,” the FAA said.
Comments may also be mailed to Ms. Amy Hanson, FAA Environmental Protection Specialist, SpaceX Boca Chica, c/o Kimley-Horn, 767 Eustis St., Ste.100, St. Paul, MN 55114.
“We encourage the submission of comments electronically through the Federal E-Rulemaking Portal,” the FAA said. “If comments are submitted electronically, it is not necessary to also submit a hard copy.”
PEIS public scoping meetings in Brownsville are scheduled for Nov. 17, 1-3 p.m., and 5:30–7:30 p.m., at Texas Southmost College, Jacob Brown Auditorium, 600 International Blvd.
A virtual scoping meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18, 5:30–7:30 p.m., with the meeting link to be posted on the FAA’s Boca Chica project website.
In Port Isabel, a scoping meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19, 1-3 p.m., and 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center, 309 Railroad St.
At the in-person meetings, residents will have the option of submitting written comments or providing verbal comments to a court reporter. English–Spanish translation will be provided. Additional accommodations must be requested by Nov. 2 by emailing [email protected].
The Moore Law Firm has also announced a free community legal clinic on Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center.
“The town hall will provide information about the ongoing property damage to homes and properties in local communities from SpaceX launches,” according to the firm’s press release.
“The FAA’s notice lists the subjects the review will cover, including noise and noise-compatible land use, air quality, coastal resources, historic properties, socioeconomics, and water resources,” the firm said.
“Damage to homes and buildings is not listed as a separate subject. The only alternative the FAA will compare against the proposal is ‘No Action,’ which would leave the current 25-launch limit in place.”
“Families in Port Isabel and on (South Padre Island) have lived through a handful of launches a year, and they are already dealing with cracked walls, foundations, and windows,” said property damage attorney J. Michael Moore.
“Now SpaceX wants permission for hundreds a year, half of them at night. The FAA says it will study noise. Its notice does not say it will study what that noise does to people’s homes. The people who live here need to make sure it does.”