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A&D: SPACE
probably take us several months to rebuild the launch pad.” In a tweet the day after the launch, he stated: “Three months ago, we started building a massive water-cooled, steel plate to go under the launch mount.” Unfortunately, it was not completed in time, but SpaceX continued with the launch regardless, anticipating that the concrete would erode instead of fracturing. Other reservations In addition, SpaceX might have to confront the environmental consequences arising from the launch. Local residents of Port Isabel, situated near South Padre Island, witnessed the descent of fine-grained debris, likely sand, onto their town, carried in by the rocket’s exhaust plume. There were also isolated incidents reported surrounding broken windows in the vicinity. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), responsible for granting SpaceX its launch license, will investigate these matters as part of its oversight during the investigation into the launch incident. What’s next? Looking ahead, SpaceX has no plans to halt progress, charging headfirst into its next launch utilising the new findings of the
first. The company has already filed for a permit with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requesting authorisation for a second test flight as soon as 15th June 2023, but anytime until 15th December 2023 in the longer run. The planned mission would once again lift off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, and would include the Super Heavy Booster returning to the Gulf of Mexico after separation and achieving touchdown at approximately T+8:25. The Starship meanwhile will enter orbit before finally landing in the Pacific Ocean northwest of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, estimated to be around 90 minutes following its launch. However, the launch is contingent upon receiving regulatory approval from the FAA, who are (as previously mentioned) conducting ongoing environmental assessments of the Starship’s launch operations. Although the FAA has not provided a specific timeline for the completion of the assessment, the public who could be affected by the launch will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft assessment. Based on this assessment, the FAA will determine whether a more comprehensive environmental impact statement is necessary.
CPS
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