SpaceX has submitted a request to increase the annual launch capacity of its Starship rocket at the Starbase facility in Texas to 456 missions. This figure represents an 18-fold increase over the current limit, which is capped at 25 launches and 50 landings per year. The company also seeks authorization for up to 912 landings of boosters and spacecraft annually.
The proposal includes provisions for conducting launches at any time of the day and on any day of the week. According to the company, even with this expansion, the Texas site would remain less active than SpaceX facilities located in Florida and Louisiana. The requested figures represent a maximum ceiling rather than a fixed flight schedule.
The US Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration have initiated a new environmental assessment to evaluate the impact of this increased operational intensity. The review process will cover launch and landing activities, ground infrastructure operations, and potential emergency water landings, while accounting for design changes since 2022.
The environmental assessment process outlines a phased approach to scaling operations. The plan proposes an initial increase to 100 launches per year as the program matures, with the capacity eventually reaching the requested limit of 456 launches. Regulators will examine the cumulative effects of these operations on the surrounding environment.
