The Truth About Starship’s New Launchpad

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Starbase Expansion - Elon's Land Transfer (00:00:14)

SpaceX is looking to double the size of their existing launch and landing site at Starbase, Texas.
The company is in the midst of a land deal with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
SpaceX needs to sever more land from the Boca Chica State Park to build their second launch and landing zone.
In exchange for the launch site expansion, SpaceX is offering up an even bigger plot of land near the town of Laguna Vista.
The land swap has to pass a committee, which environmental interests will try to shut down.
The Texas Parks Department staff has recommended approving the swap, citing increased public recreational opportunities and conservation of sensitive habitats.
SpaceX still faces challenges due to the location being mostly made up of soggy wetlands.
The Army Corps of Engineers will need to survey and sign off on construction.
SpaceX will need to drain the water out of the ground and install structural piles before building the new structure.
SpaceX has learned from previous experiences and will likely install the deluge system first.
The tower design has changed with preconstructed sections, making it faster to build.
SpaceX is working towards expanding their launch area and there will be a lot of construction happening this year.
The company may expand their village of residences and build a new retail area.

Over 12,000 scientists are petitioning the UN to create legal standards to protect radio frequencies and areas of the moon for astronomical study.
The petition aims to regulate the use of radio frequency spectrum and some areas of the moon's surface, creating a scientific preserve.
The policies would be similar to the current legal framework that keeps Antarctica a shared continent.
Scientists are concerned with setting aside specific wavelengths for lunar studies and protecting historically significant sites like Apollo landing zones.
Plans include building enormous gravity wave detectors and gigantic infrared and radio telescopes on the moon.
The moon's lack of atmosphere provides an ideal environment for observatories and gravitational wave detectors, with reduced background noise, heat buildup, and the potential for larger structures.
An international endeavor would share findings among the scientific community, and private launch providers could assist in setting up the necessary infrastructure.
The petition aims to establish an Antarctic-style treaty agreement before the moon becomes too crowded.