Mariners operating offshore in the waters east of Brownsville, Texas, have been warned of rocket launch activity and associated hazardous areas in a new U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Information Bulletin ( USCG).
In the bulletin, the USCG noted that SpaceX has informed the organization of the scheduled tests at its facilities located south of Brownsville, near Boca Chica Beach. Hazards to navigation from rocket launch activity may include free fall of debris and/or descending vehicles or vehicle components, under various means of control, the bulletin warns.
“Mariners should avoid all waters within the flight paths of rockets originating from launch sites in the vicinity of Boca Chica and Brownsville, Texas,” the bulletin said.
“Mariners are advised to avoid using the South Fairway Anchorage during trial activities. Please contact the Brownsville Harbor Master to coordinate the anchorage location during trial activities,” he added.
“Local boaters are advised to consult the Notice Broadcast to Mariners on VHF channel 22A/157.100 MHz before entering the region,” the bulletin continued.
The Cameron County government website warned that residents and those in the nearby area “may hear a loud noise as a result of the rocket’s 33 Raptor engines firing upon ignition and as the vehicle launches toward in space,” but added that “what people experience will depend on the weather and other conditions.”
In a statement posted on its website, SpaceX announced that it is targeting April 20 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Starbase in Texas. According to the release, the 62-minute launch window opens at 8:28 a.m. CT and closes at 9:30 a.m. CT.
“The spacecraft is a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo into Earth orbit, help humanity return to the Moon and travel to Mars and beyond,” SpaceX said in the statement.
“With a test like this, success is measured by how much we can learn, which will inform and improve the likelihood of future success as SpaceX rapidly moves forward with Starship development,” the company added.
Teams continue to work until Thursday, April 20 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket → https://t.co/30pJlZmrTQ pic.twitter.com/YwSuNdAR3o
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 19, 2023
Starbase is described on the SpaceX website as one of the world’s first commercial spaceports designed for orbital missions. So far, the company has seen a total of 224 launches, 186 landings and 158 flights, according to its site.
For a complete list of rocket launch operations areas, potential rocket launch debris areas, and warning maps, visit the USCG Bulletin here.
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