FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT:
July 9, 2014 Brenda Lopez 956.544.8352
PRESS RELEASE: FAA Issues Record of Decision on SpaceX Launch Site
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, the Federall Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on the proposed SpaceX launch site near Boca Chica Beach. The ROD provides FAA's final environmental determination and approval to support the issuance of launch licenses and/or experimental permits to allow SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy orbital vertical launch vehicles from South Texas. The ROD can be viewed here.
"With the issuance of the ROD by FAA, a SpaceX launch site is one step closer to becoming a reality in South Texas. Now, SpaceX can apply for the necessary launch licenses,” said Congressman Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville). “Numerous city, county, and state officials have worked with SpaceX for years to get to this point and I congratulate all of them on reaching this milestone. The establishment of a launch facility would be tremendously beneficial to South Texas' economy and I will continue to support SpaceX and fellow community leaders.”
As FAA’s Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Dr. George C. Nield explained in the ROD, “I have carefully considered the FAA’s goals and objectives in relation to issuing launch licenses and/or experimental permits that would allow SpaceX to launch the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy orbital vertical launch vehicles, and a verity of refutable suborbital launch vehicles, from a launch site on privately owned property in Cameron, County Texas. I have considered the purpose and need to be served, the alternate means of achieving them, the environmental impacts of these alternatives, and the mitigation measures available to preserve and enhance the environment. I have determined that all practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm from the alternative selected have been adopted.”
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