Public comments wanted: U.S. Air Force officials seek feedback on potential environmental impacts from up to 76 future Starship-Super Heavy rocket systems launching per year from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The first of a trio of Starship public hearings on Florida’s Space Coast took place Tuesday, July 8, at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum in Titusville. That’s where Titusville resident Russ Hansen expressed concerns about the mega-rocket’s test-flight track record thus far in Texas.
“I believe out of nine launches they’ve had, five of them have exploded either on the launch pad or over the Caribbean,” Hansen said during the formal public-comment session.
“And my concerns are, are there any mitigation effects in place or planned if that were to happen on Cape Canaveral (Space) Force Station, either on the pads or over the Atlantic Ocean?” he asked.
Starship: Air Force: Starship to cause few environmental impacts at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
In a draft environmental impact statement released last month, Air Force officials determined the Starship liftoffs — punctuated by up to 152 sonic-boom-producing landings per year — would generate few significant environmental impacts at Launch Complex 37.
SpaceX seeks regulatory permissions to start launching Starships there and at NASA’s neighboring Kennedy Space Center, an endeavor expected to generate at least $1.8 billion of capital investment and about 600 new full-time jobs by 2030.
Dozens of people attended the Titusville public hearing, though only three spoke during the public-comment period. Next, officials will conduct two more Brevard County hearings this week to present information, answer questions and collect input. Hours are 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Formal video presentations begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by public comment:
Wednesday, July 9, in Cape Canaveral: Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd.
Thursday, July 10, in Cocoa: Dr. Joe Lee Smith Recreation Center, 415 Stone St.
What’s more, a July 15 virtual hearing starts at 6 p.m. at spaceforcestarshipeis.com.
“The Air Force is committed to understanding and minimizing potential impacts on the diverse wildlife and habitats at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the surrounding area,” meeting storyboard materials said.
Public comments can be submitted through July 28 at spaceforcestarshipeis.com and by emailing contactus@spaceforcestarshipeis.com with the subject line “SpaceForceStarshipEIS.” Or, mail comments to CCSFS Starship EIS, 5401 W. Kennedy Blvd. #300, Tampa FL 33609.
“We want to hear from the folks who have concerns about the environment. That’s what this process is all about,” U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indian Harbour Beach, said in a phone interview. He chairs the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
Haridopolos recalled Brevard County’s economic woes from the end of NASA’s space shuttle program after Atlantis’ final flight in July 2011. By contrast, he said, “this is what we’ve been dreaming of for years.”
“It is the exact opposite. We are booming, literally, right now. And we want to hear those environmental concerns. But these are jobs that the STEM education program produces. And people are spending billions of dollars here on the Space Coast,” Haridopolos said.
“We want to make sure we understand the environmental impacts. But was also want to understand the economic impacts, and how we can best balance those,” he said.
Indian River Lagoon backers monitoring proposal
In addition to Starship operations at LC-37, SpaceX simultaneously seeks federal environmental and regulatory approvals to boost rocket launches at two more sites:
David Botto, a founding member of the Indian River Lagoon Roundtable, came to Brevard County in 1968 supporting NASA’s Apollo program. The retired Air Force lieutenant colonel recalled working 70- and 80-hour workweeks: “I am a space man,” he said.
The IRLR is monitoring SpaceX’s Starship proposal. Botto said the grassroots group fully supports development of a world-class spaceport, but it must be done to guarantee no harm to the ecologically imperiled lagoon. Without establishing a centralized authority to manage rapid development across the Cape, the future of the northern lagoon is at risk — perhaps great risk, he said during the IRLR June 24 meeting.
“The proper analysis of topography and hydrology should be done as an area, not 100 acres at a time as it is being done now. The piecemeal development will not help us. It will actually cause danger to the lagoon,” he said.
Botto said a critical factor is stormwater runoff, specifically excess freshwater in a salty environment, something that can kill oysters, clams, shrimp and sea trout.
He said the IRLR supports Space Florida’s proposed space commerce district development plan with NASA. This would divide KSC into seven land-use planning districts and analyze cumulative effects on utilities, air quality, threatened and endangered species, noise, water resources and other factors.
The IRLR also supports adding the Space Force and other major stakeholders to this effort. The estimated total construction footprint at LC-37 and the surrounding area, including upgrades to transportation and utilities, is about 230 acres.
The Air Force timeline calls for publication of a final Starship environmental impact statement in fall, followed by a record of decision issuance in winter.
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Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Air Force hosting SpaceX Starship public hearings on Florida’s Space Coast