The next launch window for SpaceX's Starship rocket could be delayed by several months as US Fish and Wildlife officials have yet to begin their formal review of SpaceX’s upgrades following the explosion of Starship in April. The review process is contingent upon SpaceX's plans to operate a water deluge system during the next launch, and it could take anywhere from 30 to 135 days to complete. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cannot issue a new launch license to SpaceX until the consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is finalized.
The FWS has stated that it requires additional information from the FAA in order to update its original assessment of SpaceX’s launch facility, Starbase, and its impact on endangered species and critical habitats in the surrounding area. This process, known as a biological assessment, must be completed before the FWS can issue a final opinion. The FWS has a maximum of 135 days to issue the final assessment once they receive the complete information from the FAA, but this timeline may be extended if further data is required.
Since the first test flight of Starship resulted in extensive damage to the launchpad and surrounding area, the FAA grounded the rocket. SpaceX subsequently added a water deluge system, which releases large quantities of water, to dampen and redirect the intense forces created during takeoff. The addition of this system prompted the FAA to request consultation with the FWS under the Endangered Species Act on August 11.
In response, the FAA has provided the FWS with a draft update of the biological assessment and has requested consultation. However, the FAA still needs to review a list of corrective actions that SpaceX must implement to prevent similar damage in future test flights. The FAA aims to complete this review by the end of October.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, recently acknowledged the completion of necessary corrective actions prescribed by the FAA in a post on his X social media platform. As the FWS review has yet to formally begin, the next launch window for Starship remains uncertain, potentially causing further delays to SpaceX's ambitious plans for human space exploration.