Correction of typographical error at Tesla (NASDAQ):, adds RIC to paragraph 6.

By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -Elon Musk stated on Thursday that he is “highly confidant” in his SpaceX Starship. It was designed to travel to Mars and the moon. However, there are still many regulatory and technical hurdles.

SpaceX CEO and founder, billionaire SpaceX, addressed supporters and news media at the company’s facility “Starbase”, in Boca Chica. He presented a combination of a high-tech pep talk with large-screen videos and an open-ended question-and-answer session.

The launch came nine months following the successful landing and touchdown of the Starship prototype rocket by the California-based private space company. This success was achieved after four failed attempts to land the Starship in the air.

Musk admitted to SpaceX the difficulties it faced developing its “Raptor 2” engines for the Super Heavy rocket. This next-generation booster is designed to transport the Starship spacecraft into orbit. Musk cited melting problems in the engine’s thruster chambers due to intense heat.

He said that he was “very close to solving it” and projected to increase production to seven to eight engines per week by next month. A new Starship will be produced every month, as well as a booster by the year’s end.

Musk also runs Tesla’s electric car manufacturer, Tesla.

This would be a remarkable feat even for an uncrewed orbital testing flight of the Super Heavy/Starship combination, SpaceX’s next-generation rocket. Musk stated that SpaceX has successfully launched 144 launches and returned 106 landings.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

The Federal Aviation Administration is currently conducting an environmental assessment at the Boca Chica production and test facility, which will impact the future of both the Boca Chica flight-flight center near Texas’s southeast Gulf Coast.

In coming weeks, the FAA should decide whether or not a proposed build-out in Boca Chica poses a significant environment impact.

EIS Reviews, also known as environmental impact statements (or EIS), can be lengthy and often involve litigation.

Musk was asked what he knew regarding the FAA’s review. Musk replied that “we don’t have much insight” but said: “We have sort of an indication that there might be approval in March.” However, that is all we know.

Musk assured SpaceX that even in the worst case scenario where a complete EIS was required, or legal wrangling threatened to drag out, there is a plan B. Musk stated that the company will shift all Starship programs to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral. SpaceX has already received the necessary environmental approval.

He said that such a move could cause an eight-month delay.

SpaceX still hopes to launch what it calls its first private lunar mission in 2023. Yusaku Maezawa, a Japanese entrepreneur, and 12 artists will fly aboard the Starship, which orbits around the moon, returning to Earth.