SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Relativity Space Proposals Move Forward
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated environmental reviews for several commercial space projects, including SpaceX’s Starship super-heavy rocket, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, and Relativity Space’s Terran R rocket.
The FAA issued a Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for SpaceX’s proposals concerning Starship-Super Heavy operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station SLC-37 in Florida.
SpaceX’s Proposal:
- SpaceX is planning to launch Starship 76 times a year, with 152 landings annually, including both Starship and Super Heavy returning to the launch site.
- The public comment period for this proposal is open until October 14, 2026. Details can be found here.
Blue Origin’s Expansion Request:
- Blue Origin is seeking to increase its previously approved 12 New Glenn launches per year to as many as 50.
- Don Platt, director of spaceport education at Florida Tech, mentioned that this move may be strategic, as more commercial providers are entering the field. Increased competition could motivate Blue Origin to secure licenses ahead of other potential applicants.
A virtual public meeting to discuss this proposal is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Interested parties can register here. The public comment period for Blue Origin’s assessment will close on October 30, 2026.
Relativity Space Developments:
- The FAA has approved a final Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Relativity Space’s Terran R rocket, allowing it to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station SLC-16.
- According to research chemist Ken Kremer, the new and unproven nature of the Terran R rocket necessitates rigorous safety assessments before any operational licenses can be issued.
The FAA’s independent review of Relativity’s SEA concluded with a “finding of no significant impact/record of decision,” but this does not guarantee a vehicle operator license for Relativity.
Overall, the FAA’s actions indicate robust growth in the commercial space sector, with multiple companies seeking to expand their launch capabilities while balancing environmental considerations.
