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[b]SpaceX Texas Launch Site: Project Description[/b] As part of FAA's Proposed Action of issuing launch licenses and/or experimental permits to SpaceX, SpaceX would construct a vertical launch area and a control center area to support up to 12 commercial launch operations per year. The vehicles that would be launched include the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy (up to two launches per year), and a variety of smaller reusable suborbital launch vehicles. Launch operations include not only launches, but also pre-flight activities such as mission rehearsals and static fire engine tests. SpaceX would be required to apply for the appropriate launch licenses and/or experimental permits to be issued by the FAA. SpaceX would be the exclusive user of the site. The proposed vertical launch area is currently undeveloped and is located directly adjacent to the eastern terminus of SH 4 (Boca Chica Boulevard) and to Boca Chica State Park and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge lands. It is located approximately 3 miles north of the U.S/Mexico border on the Gulf Coast and approximately 5 miles south of Port Isabel and South Padre Island. Access to the area is from SH 4. Proposed facility and infrastructure construction at the vertical launch area would include an integration and processing hangar; a launch pad and stand with its associated flame duct; a water tower; lightning protection towers (four total); a retention basin for deluge water; propellant storage and handling areas; a workshop and office area; a warehouse for parts storage; and roads, parking areas, fencing, security, lighting, and utilities. The parcel where the vertical launch area would be located is 56.5 acres; however, development of the vertical launch area would only comprise approximately 20 acres. The proposed control center would be located immediately adjacent to Boca Chica State Park and Boca Chica Village, approximately 2 miles west of the proposed vertical launch area and north of SH 4. Proposed facility and infrastructure construction at the control center area would include two launch control center buildings; two payload processing facilities; a launch vehicle processing hangar; two radio frequency transmitter/receivers; generators and diesel storage facilities; roads, parking areas, fencing, security, lighting, utilities; and a satellite fuels storage facility. In addition, new power lines would be installed underground in the SH 4 road right-of- way from the control center area to the vertical launch area. The Falcon 9 is a medium-lift class launch vehicle with a gross lift-off weight of approximately 1,100,000 pounds (lbs) with an approximate length of 224 feet (ft). The Falcon 9 uses liquid oxygen (LOX) and highly refined kerosene, also known as rocket propellant-1 or refined petroleum-1 (RP-1), as propellants to carry payloads into orbit. The Falcon Heavy is a heavy-lift class launch vehicle with a gross lift-off weight of approximately 3,400,000 lbs. It has a width of 36 ft and an overall length of approximately 224 ft. All Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches would be expected to have payloads, including satellites or experimental payloads. In addition to standard payloads, the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy may also carry a capsule, such as the SpaceX Dragon capsule. Most payloads would be commercial; however, some could be Department of Defense payloads, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (or NASA) payloads, or a Federal contribution to a commercial payload. All launch trajectories would be to the east over the Gulf of Mexico. During launch operations, access to the Boca Chica area, including SH 4 and Boca Chica State Park, would be closed to the general public for safety and security reasons (refer to Exhibit A-1). The closures would occur up to 12 times a year for a period of up to 15 hours each time, with 6 hours being the closure time for a nominal launch. The 15-hour closure period allows for potential aborts and contingencies. A closure for a wet dress rehearsal or static fire engine test would be shorter than a closure for a launch. Closures for a wet dress rehearsal or static fire engine test would typically be 3 hours or less. The total number of closures and closure hours for wet dress rehearsals, static fire engine tests, and actual launches would fall within SpaceX's proposed 12 launch operations per year or annual maximum of 180 hours of closure per year.
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