SpaceX has completed a months-long process it says shows compliance with federal requirements that would authorize the second launch of the Starship rocket.

The nearly 400-foot rocket currently sits on its launch pad on the shores of Boca Chica Beach. The initial Starship launch occurred on April 20. The rocket, which is described as the largest and most powerful ever built, got off the ground in spectacular fashion. Thousands of spectators cheered in taking in the spectacle across the Laguna Madre on South Padre Island. 

The fiery liftoff of the giant rocket destroyed its launch pad and produced huge plumes of dust and ash, with some of the debris eventually drifting across bay waters and settling on Port Isabel and Laguna Vista. The Federal Aviation Administration put forth over 60 corrective measures SpaceX has to meet before it will grant a second launch license. 

“We fly to learn,” said Kathryn Lueders, the new executive general manager at Starbase on Boca Chica Beach. “How do we make it safer and build on what we learned?”

Connecting To Communities

Lueders gave an overview of SpaceX’s work since the April launch at a Sept. 14 brunch event hosted by the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn Resort. 

The event drew a large crowd given how rarely SpaceX shares information with the public. Lueders, a former NASA associate administrator, says one of her missions is to build stronger connections to area communities.

“We need to do a better job of letting people know what our demographics are,” she said, referring to the SpaceX personnel working at Starbase. “We need to reach out to our communities and learn more about area services in health care, housing and education.”

SpaceX’s 2,000-strong workforce on Starbase is focused on the big picture goal of getting Starship back in the air. Lueders says SpaceX intends to make Starship its “workforce for space.” The ultimate aim is for Starship to transport large amounts of cargo to the moon as way station to Mars. 

“We don’t do anything small,” Lueders said of her company’s audacious goals as defined by SpaceX founder Elon Musk. “Some of the most exciting space developments in the world are being done here in South Texas.”

‘Here to Stay’

SpaceX will first have to get FAA approval for another rocket launch before it can get to Mars.

The federal agency is concerned about the messy liftoff and understanding why Starship disintegrated 24 miles up into the atmosphere. The rocket failed to reach its intended orbit around the earth. The FAA says it is close to finishing its review of SpaceX’s actions to remedy the many deficiencies of the April 20 flight.

Beyond the FAA, there’s also an upcoming examination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to gauge the environmental impact of the initial launch. All told, it appears SpaceX is weeks, if not months away from getting all of the federal agency approvals it needs before a license is given for a second launch. 

“Build, test, fly and learn,” Lueders said of SpaceX’s philosophy and its eagerness to engage in more rocket launches at Boca Chica. “We’re going to build a bunch of rockets and fly, test and learn.”

She made clear during the SPI chamber presentation that her company plans to make its presence in the Rio Grande Valley a permanent one.

“When you look at the size of investment SpaceX has made here, I can say we’re here to stay,” Lueders said.