Blue Origin recently expressed concerns to the FAA regarding SpaceX's Starship rocket launches. The filing brought attention to potential environmental impacts on Blue Origin's nearby facilities. Blue Origin recommended restricting the number of SpaceX launches and requiring compensation for any damages caused to third parties.
Environmental Impact of Starship Launches
The filing by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin highlighted worries about the potential environmental effects of Elon Musk's SpaceX Starship launch operations. The focus was on the FAA's plan to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the environmental impacts of granting SpaceX a license to launch its Starship-Super Heavy mega-rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Starship Launch System Details
The SpaceX launch system, which includes the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster, is still in development. The system stands taller than the Statue of Liberty and has had four flights to date, with only two reaching space. During a previous launch, the system generated heat and pressure comparable to a volcanic eruption, causing soil and sand to fall on a nearby town.
Concerns Raised by Blue Origin
Blue Origin's filing expressed worries about the Super Heavy booster's capacity to hold an unprecedented 5,200 metric tons of liquid methane for propulsion. This raised concerns about safety margins overlapping with operational sites of other entities, potentially impacting the environment.
Blue Origin's Recommendations
Blue Origin suggested capping the rate of Super Heavy launches to minimize environmental impact. The company also proposed additional infrastructure to enhance safety and recommended that SpaceX compensate for any losses incurred by neighboring launch providers.
SpaceX's Response and Future Plans
SpaceX plans to conduct 44 Starship-Super Heavy missions annually under a NASA lease. Elon Musk responded to Blue Origin's concerns with a sardonic comment on social media, referencing their ongoing feud. SpaceX has a track record of frequent launches, accounting for a significant portion of global orbital launches in recent years.
Neither SpaceX nor Blue Origin has responded to requests for comments from Business Insider at the time of publication. Musk's remarks were interpreted by an AI chatbot as a light-hearted jab at Blue Origin's legal actions against SpaceX in the past.
As the space race continues between these two billionaire-led companies, the future of commercial space travel remains both exciting and contentious.
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By: insider@insider.com (Jaures Yip,Morgan McFall-Johnsen)
Title: Blue Origin Concerns over SpaceX’s Starship Rocket Launches
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-faa-spacex-starship-super-heavy-launches-2024-6
Published Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2024 23:54:30 +0000
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