{"id":22427,"date":"2021-10-22T23:49:11","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T15:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/faas-starship-public-hearings-were-filled-with-valid-complaints-and-elon-musk-fandom\/"},"modified":"2021-10-22T23:49:11","modified_gmt":"2021-10-22T15:49:11","slug":"faas-starship-public-hearings-were-filled-with-valid-complaints-and-elon-musk-fandom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/faas-starship-public-hearings-were-filled-with-valid-complaints-and-elon-musk-fandom\/","title":{"rendered":"FAA\u2019s Starship public hearings were filled with valid complaints and Elon Musk fandom"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"img-border featured-image wp-block-image--obfuscated\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/spaceexplored.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ninetofive\/dist\/images\/default-spaceexplored-related-guide.png?w=1600\" class=\"skip-lazy wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spaceexplored.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ninetofive\/dist\/images\/default-spaceexplored-related-guide.png?w=320&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spaceexplored.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ninetofive\/dist\/images\/default-spaceexplored-related-guide.png?w=640&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spaceexplored.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ninetofive\/dist\/images\/default-spaceexplored-related-guide.png?w=1024&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spaceexplored.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ninetofive\/dist\/images\/default-spaceexplored-related-guide.png?w=1500&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" data-attachment-id=\"9972\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/spaceexplored.com\/2021\/01\/08\/environmentalists-upset-over-faa-environmental-assessment-process-for-spacex-in-boca-chica\/starhip_sn8_dunes\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/spaceexplored.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ninetofive\/dist\/images\/default-spaceexplored-related-guide.png\" data-orig-size=\"2000,1000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"starhip_sn8_dunes\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/spaceexplored.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ninetofive\/dist\/images\/default-spaceexplored-related-guide.png?w=1024\"><br \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This week the FAA hosted two public comment hearings for SpaceX\u2019s Starship facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Both sessions lasted for about five hours, with over 100 commenters speaking with more not making the time cut. The hearings had two overall points made by commenters, \u201cSpaceX is hurting our environment and way of life\u201d and \u201cmove out of the way FAA and let Elon do Elon things.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"more-22737\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-don-t-dismiss-those-complaints-they-may-have-a-point\">Don\u2019t dismiss those complaints, they may have a point<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both nights the spaceflight community was extremely active both in the hearing and on social media. SpaceX and Elon Musk\u2019s dream of colonizing Mars resonates with many and has somehow landed on this little city along the border \u2013 a city that is now one of the most sought-after areas to live for those that share this dream. This change has brought increased property values and wear and tear on the local infrastructure.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-need-for-a-new-environmental-impact-statement\">The need for a new Environmental Impact Statement<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many commenters that came out against SpaceX wished for the FAA to conduct a new Environmental Impact Statement on SpaceX\u2019s Starship facility. This document details the proposed environmental impacts by land development projects, much more detailed than an Environmental Assessment. An EIS was conducted by the FAA and SpaceX back in 2014, but the scope of the SpaceX South Texas Launch Site since back then has changed dramatically.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<iframe id=\"twitter-widget-0\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=SethKurk&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=e30%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1446641028589662209&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fspaceexplored.com%2F2021%2F10%2F21%2Ffaas-starship-public-hearings-were-filled-with-valid-complaints-and-elon-musk-fandom%2F&amp;sessionId=9cdecd3502e14d5bb013b8374d6d676aa4b685c4&amp;siteScreenName=space_explored&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=500px\" data-tweet-id=\"1446641028589662209\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783314689835300817=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Starbase\ud83d\ude80 pic.twitter.com\/EJd9Lp89WS<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 RGV Aerial Photography (@RGVaerialphotos) October 9, 2021<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commenters pointed out the change from Falcon 9 and Heavy launches to the development of the world\u2019s most powerful rocket, along with additions of natural gas and liquid oxygen production. Many commenters believe these changes far surpass what the previous EIS expected, and a new EIS is required. Many would say these are fair complaints since a lot has changed since 2014. For example, no one would have imagined we would be catching skyscraper-size rockets back then. Who knows what kind of legal dispute could arise if the FAA decides to use the 2014 EIS for SpaceX\u2019s Starship launches.<\/p>\n<p>\t<span class=\"outbrain-ad-label\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t<script type=\"text\/plain\">\n\t\t\twindow.adSlotsConfig = window.adSlotsConfig || [];<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tadSlotsConfig.push( {\n\t\t\t\tslotID: '\/1049447\/Outbrain',\n\t\t\t\tslotName: 'div-gpt-ad-outbrain-ad-22737',\n\t\t\t\tsizes: [300, 250],\n\t\t\t\tslotPosition: 'mid_article'\n\t\t\t} );\n\t\t<\/script><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gentrification-increasing-cost-of-living-for-generational-residents\">Gentrification, increasing cost of living for generational residents<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As mentioned earlier, the increased attention Cameron County has received has brought new residents, tourists, and jobs to the area. An increased cost of living and more wear and tear on infrastructure was mentioned by some commenters. A counterpoint, given by many pro-SpaceX commenters, was this is expected with any development. Unfortunately, this isn\u2019t easy to show quantitively at the moment, as rent prices have gone up nationwide, not proving it is related to SpaceX. That being said, Cameron county housing prices started below the national average before the beginning of Starship testing and is now well above the national average, per FRED Economic Data.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image--obfuscated\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/spaceexplored.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ninetofive\/dist\/images\/default-spaceexplored-related-guide.png\" alt=\"Site default logo image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pro-spacex-comments-rang-hollow-of-quantitative-facts\">Pro-SpaceX comments rang hollow of quantitative facts<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The large majority of commenters were in favor of SpaceX\u2019s developments in the area. While the FAA\u2019s public comment hearings were open to all parties to share their thoughts and opinions on Starship, that is what they were, opinions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While it is great to hear how SpaceX has changed the lives of many in the Brownsville area, these praises made up very few of the pro-SpaceX comments. Instead, most comments focused on the belief that Elon Musk and his companies can do no wrong, and because of that, the FAA should \u201cmove out of the way\u201d and let Elon do his work.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some pro-SpaceX commenters did bring up a good point, do the downsides outweigh the potential growth gained from this development? Investment in the space industry has historically been returned with interest, and SpaceX\u2019s ability to drastically reduce the cost of launches would disrupt the industry as we know it. Could this development negatively impact long time residents? Yes, but it can be certainly be argued that this impact is worth it to improve the surrounding cities and humanity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starship\u2019s advantages don\u2019t mean that SpaceX should be lifted above the law. Ensuring that environmental and economic concerns are adequately handled will not be the hurdle that will block humanity from becoming multi-planetary.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-want-to-help-support-space-explored\">Want to help support Space Explored?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shop on&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;to support Space Explored writers<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Directly support Seth by becoming a member of their&nbsp;Patreon.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"enjoy-reading-space-explored\">Enjoy reading Space Explored?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Help others find us by following on <strong>Apple News<\/strong> and <strong>Google News<\/strong>. Be sure to check us out on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, join our Discord!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week the FAA hosted two public comment hearings for SpaceX\u2019s Starship facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Both sessions lasted for about five hours, with over 100 commenters speaking with more not making the time cut. The hearings had two overall points made by commenters, \u201cSpaceX is hurting our environment and way of life\u201d and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22427"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22427"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22427\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}