Starbase, TX (KRGV) — The Federal Aviation Administration opened a public review of SpaceX's plan to increase launches at the Boca Chica Launch Site from 25 a year to as many as 456.

A notice on the proposal was published Wednesday. In the notice, the FAA said it will prepare an environmental impact statement and opened a public scoping period on the plan.

The proposal would also raise the limit from 50 landings a year to 912. SpaceX has launched three times from Starbase this year, and the higher limit would allow more launches but would not require the company to use all of them.

The FAA said phase one of the proposal would allow up to 100 launches and 200 landings a year on any day and at any time of the week. Phase two would allow up to 456 launches and 912 landings a year at any time of day from Monday through Friday.

SpaceX expert Louis Balderas has seen more than 20 launches and supports the increase. 

"Every time I hear or see a launch, I think of progress for humanity. I definitely do support it," Balderas said. "I think this is one thing we should be focused on, and it's going to help SpaceX fortify what their goal is in getting the human race interplanetary."

South Padre Island resident Tommy Saenz said he worries more launches would mean more Boca Chica Beach closures. 

"They need to look at environmental impact, human impact, and South Padre's impact," Saenz said. "It affects all the citizens here, our tourists."

The FAA said a review of the proposal will study possible effects on air quality, fish, wildlife, plants, coastal resources, hazardous materials, historic and cultural resources, land use, noise, visual effects, and water resources. FAA said it will compare those effects with a no action option.

The FAA said it will hold in-person meetings from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2026, at Texas Southmost College’s Jacob Brown Auditorium, located at 600 International Blvd. in Brownsville

The agency will hold the same meeting times on Nov. 19, 2026, at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center, located at 309 Railroad St.

The FAA set a virtual meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2026. Public comments are due by Nov. 30, 2026.

People can submit comments online by clicking here or by mail to Amy Hanson, FAA environmental protection specialist, SpaceX Boca Chica, c/o Kimley-Horn, 767 Eustis St., Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55114.

Click here for additional details on the proposal.

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