WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a significant increase in Falcon 9 launches from one Florida launch pad as it takes public input on plans for Starship launches from another.

The FAA issued Sept. 3 a record of decision concluding an environmental assessment for a proposal to increase Falcon 9 launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The decision allows SpaceX to conduct 120 launches annually from the pad, up from the previous limit of 50 per year.

The FAA said its analysis found there was no need for a more rigorous and lengthy environmental impact assessment. It did include several measures for SpaceX to follow to reduce effects on the environment, including limiting off-road driving to avoid killing a threatened species

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