FAA

SpaceX gets FAA permission for fivefold increase in Starship launches from Texas

| Importance: 7/10

The Federal Aviation Administration granted SpaceX a significant expansion of launch permissions, increasing Starship launch capacity from 5 to 25 annually at the Boca Chica, Texas site. The FAA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) after a Tiered Environmental Assessment, allowing up to …

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SpaceX Confirms Starlink Loan Agreement with FAA for Infrastructure Testing

| Importance: 6/10

SpaceX confirmed a loan agreement with L3Harris to provide Starlink satellite communication terminals to the FAA for infrastructure testing, specifically in Alaska. The agreement involves providing 4,000 Starlink kits free of charge for an initial evaluation period, raising potential conflict of …

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FAA approves 4,000 Starlink terminals worth $400 million

| Importance: 8/10

FAA approves 4,000 Starlink terminals worth $400 million despite existing contract with another company, while State Department announces $400 million Tesla Cybertruck contract and Commerce changes broadband requirements favoring Starlink.

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FAA approves 4,000 Starlink terminals, considers canceling $2.4B Verizon contract

| Importance: 6/10

FAA approved shipment of 4,000 Starlink terminals and ordered staff to find “tens of millions of dollars” for Starlink deal while considering canceling $2.4B Verizon contract for air traffic control communications. Creates conflict as DOGE leader Musk oversees federal spending cuts while …

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FAA Safety Official Ali Bahrami Leaves for Aerospace Industries Association During Boeing 737 MAX Development

| Importance: 9/10

In August 2013, Ali Bahrami, who led the FAA office overseeing Boeing aircraft certification, departed to join the Aerospace Industries Association. This move epitomizes regulatory capture, as Bahrami had been instrumental in pushing for increased industry self-regulation. Former FAA engineers …

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