Sun, Apr 19, 2009
FAA Approves Environmental Impact Study
The licensing process for construction of a commercial
spaceport at Jacksonville's Cecil Field that could launch up to 52
sub-orbital space flights annually has moved another step forward
with the Federal Aviation Administration's release of a favorable
Environmental Assessment of the site.
According to The Jacksonville Business Journal, the FAA study
found that no significant environmental impacts would be created by
locating a commercial spaceport at Cecil Field. The results put the
Jacksonville Aviation Authority closer to receiving a Launch Site
Operator License from the FAA.
The approval required the FAA to look at potential federal
policy violations, safety issues, and environmental issues,
including noise. The public's objection to excessive noise at Cecil
Field is the reason the Navy stopped using the former military base
altogether.
"It's all about safety of the uninvolved public," said FAA
spokesman Hank Price. Since the FAA started overseeing commercial
space flight in 1989, it has licensed about 170 launches, Price
said, and has never had a public casualty or significant property
damage.
As ANN reported, the Jacksonville Aviation
Authority initiated the licensing process after a 2006 Florida
Space Authority report said Cecil Field is "the best airport for
aircraft-like launch vehicles." The reusable spacecraft launched
from the site would take off horizontally, rather than
vertically.
The next hurdles to be faced in the process include a public
comment period which will end May 20 and a public hearing slated
for May 14 at the Cecil Commerce Center.
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