Last week, Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX drew everyone’s attention. The world’s largest rocket “Starship” should fly into space in all its glory. But the launch failed, and after a few minutes SpaceX initiated the controlled demolition of the 120-meter monster. Apparently, the rocket failed to separate from the ignition stage. SpaceX nevertheless described the mission as a success and spoke of being able to learn a lot despite the damage. But not only SpaceX will now take a critical look at what is happening, but also the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Until the investigation is complete, SpaceX will not be able to conduct any further launches in Texas.
The agency writes, “The resumption of flight of ‘Starship’ is contingent on the FAA determining that no system, process or procedure related to the accident compromised public safety. This is the standard procedure for all investigations by accidents”. However, as the debris spread further than expected, the Anomaly Response Plan also came into effect, meaning SpaceX must implement additional “environmental measures” before it can reapply for its launch license.
Additionally, the FAA wrote that no injuries or public harm were reported. This is surprising because videos and pictures from the start and recordings after the explosion show that the “Starship” left behind a veritable field of rubble (the launch pad resembles a crater). Even if it was initially only visible that the launch pad and some fuel silos suffered enormous damage and cameras in the surrounding parking lots were exposed to a hail of concrete. In fact, there would have been no public damage. But things turned out differently.
As “CNBC” reports, nearby Port Isabel also suffered from the start – more than ten kilometers away. There, residents report broken windows and a thick carpet of dust that has settled over the city. Numerous pictures on Twitter show that the outer areas of the small town of 5,000 were littered with small, brown particles.
But not only Port Isabel had to suffer from the start. In close proximity to the launch pad are pristine beaches and the Boca Chica Wildlife Refuge, home to rare bird species and turtles. Environmental organizations such as the “Friends of the Wildlife Corridor” have always warned that a rocket launch pad in this area could cause major damage. Pictures already show that debris from past tests lies everywhere in the wilderness.
And that’s just the visible damage: A rocket launch like that of a “Starship” means fire from up to 33 drives, which not only means enormous heat in the area, but also deafening noise over a longer period of time. For the animals, this primarily means panic and stress.
It will therefore also be the task of the authorities to take samples of the dust particles and to examine the effects on the extended environment of the launch pad. SpaceX once promised that in the event of an explosion, debris could be expected in a maximum area of ??three square kilometers – apparently a misjudgment.
Jared Margolis, attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, told CNBC that he does not expect the FAA to finally ban further SpaceX launches in Texas. He assumes that the requirements will be kept so minimal that SpaceX can easily meet the requirements.
If company owner and US billionaire Elon Musk has his way, the next start should take place in one to two months. He explained this via Twitter.
