July 11, 2025: it’s been over a year since the public scoping period for the FAA’s Environmental Impact Statement, and no Draft EIS or even a date for one has been announced for SpaceX’s Starship-Super Heavy project at Launch Complex 39A at KSC.

Casual onlookers may wonder if something is awry, but that’s probably not the case. The wheels of government turn slowly and often do so silently, and an announcement could come any day.

Two Separate Facilities, Two Seperate EIS

Many people who don’t live at the Space Coast don’t realize that Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are two adjoining but separately managed facilities. NASA operates KSC, of course, and SpaceX leases LC-39A from the government at KSC. Cape Canaveral SFS, located southeast of Kennedy, is a US Space Force Military facility and is operated by the Department of the Air Force. SpaceX leases SLC-40 at CCSFS and seeks to lease LC-37 there.

There are even gates between the two facilities, though they don’t seem to ever close. There is great cooperation between the Space Force and NASA, and they often work together when needed.

That’s important, because there are two authorities conducting two Environmental Impact Statements for two different launch pads: LC-37 and LC-39A. The former is the retired site of United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV Heavy rocket, which flew its last flight last year.

The latter, LC-39A, is of course the historic launch facility that served Apollo and STS (Shuttle) missions in its long and storied career. SpaceX has made their own history at LC-39A: the return of crew to orbit after a long gap following the end of the Shuttle program, the launch site of Falcon Heavy and other commercial spaceflight firsts.

Current Status

The EIS process for LC-39A continues to be underway. No statements otherwise have been released by any of the parties involved, so it is safe to say that work is continuing.

SpaceX is preparing the EIS under FAA supervision, analyzing the environmental impacts of proposed Starship-Super Heavy operations, including up to 44 launches per year, infrastructure construction; a Super Heavy booster catch tower, propellant systems, and stormwater/deluge ponds), and landings at LC-39A or on a droneship.

The process is evaluating changes from the 2019 Environmental Assessment (EA), which found no significant impact but did not account for the current scope of operations. The next step is the release of the draft EIS for public review and comment, followed by a final EIS and a Record of Decision.

Release Date of the LC-39A Draft EIS

There is no specific release date publicly announced for the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for SpaceX’s Starship-Super Heavy project at LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated the EIS process with a Notice of Intent published on May 9, 2024, and held public scoping meetings in June 2024.

Based on typical EIS timelines (often 12-18 months) and the FAA’s ongoing work, the draft EIS is likely to be released in mid-to-late 2025. For comparison, the draft EIS for Starship launches at Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station was released on June 6, 2025, after a scoping period starting in February 2024, fifteen months earlier. The LC-39A EIS Draft should come in the next 5-6 months, or roughly the same time as a final decision on LC-37 is due, according to DAF project timelines.

New Federal NEPA Rules

The FAA has issued a notice rescinding its existing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures outlined in FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, and replacing them with streamlined procedures in FAA Order 1050.1G. This change is driven by Executive Order 14154 of the President, entitled “Unleashing American Energy.”

The new order accelerates environmental reviews projects by imposing strict timelines and page limits on EISs (e.g., 2-year completion cap), expanding CATEX (Categorical Exclusion) usage, allowing combined exclusions, and promoting early collaboration to minimize delays. This aligns with the Trump Administration’s policy to expedite permitting. That could potentially benefit commercial space operators like SpaceX by shortening review periods for future licenses or modifications, thus supporting faster integration of technologies like Starship.

However, for the specific ongoing EIS for SpaceX’s Starship-Super Heavy operations at LC-39A, the new rules should not apply directly. Order 1050.1G applies only to FAA actions requiring environmental review that “commence on or after” July 3, 2025, and since the LC-39A EIS was started in 2024, the new order is moot.

Responsible Agencies

There is a mix of federal agencies responsible for completing aspects of the LC-39A EIS.

Lead Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), responsible for overseeing the EIS process and issuing a commercial launch Vehicle Operator License to SpaceX if the final decision of the EIS is to allow work on 39A to proceed.

Preparing Entity: SpaceX, tasked with preparing the EIS under FAA supervision.

Multiple Cooperating Agencies:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Manages KSC and leases LC-39A to SpaceX, providing oversight for space-related activities.permits.performance.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): Manages the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, which includes KSC property, and provides expertise on wildlife impacts.permits.performance.gov

National Park Service (NPS): Oversees Canaveral National Seashore, partially within KSC boundaries, and contributes expertise on affected lands.permits.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): Involved due to maritime safety and airspace closures for launches.

Department of the Air Force (DAF): Coordinates due to proximity to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and shared range.