FAA thinks it's SpaceX's fault that caused flight 5 delay-analysis

Reading [spacenews.com](http://spacenews.com) with more info, actually I think FAA could have a point. Ideally after Flight 4, SpaceX should already submitted the application for Flight 5 stating what they want to do. If the profile is the same, SpaceX could have multiple launches after Flight 4 this year. However, between June and mid-August, something is changed and thus it causes these two months wasted.

SpaceX thinks changes are small environmentally so it should be quick without re-evaluation. FAA thinks change is a change, and new evaluation is still needed from Fish and Wildlife etc, which could take up to 60 days.

In general, I would think SpaceX should take the regulation process more seriously and expect any changes could cause delay. There are actually lots of things that can be tested without changing the profile in Flight 5. Things changing can push to Flight 6 and thus save at least 2 months of time.

The hope now is that Fish and wildlife etc can take less than 60 days to finish their evaluation.

"SpaceX modified the profile for the next launch and also provided information only in mid-August about “how the environmental impact of Flight 5 will cover a larger area than previously reviewed,” requiring consultation with other agencies."