SpaceX is launching more rockets from a military base. Can the Coastal Commission impose a limit?
Published in Science & Technology News
"This year I wouldn't be surprised if we got closer to 50," he said, adding that the Space Force expects the number to increase in the coming years.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has studied the potential impacts to wildlife in the area and, according to Titus, has cleared the base for up to 110 launches a year without an adverse effect on nearby animal life.
"We're not going to get to 100 launches any time soon, but I don't think we've been shy saying that's where we want to go," he said.
If no agreement is reached, staff said, the Department of Defense could decide to move forward regardless. The commission could also decide to pursue the matter in mediation or in court.
Commissioners delayed the vote to approve the agreement with SpaceX by a month, and instead asked staff to look at the possibility of separating SpaceX launches from military and private use, and studying the cumulative impact of increased launches at the base.
At about the same time, SpaceX announced that another of its Falcon 9 rockets is scheduled to blast off Thursday morning.
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