Musk’s mega rocket can launch – if he also takes care of the ocelot
The “Starship 24” at its launch site in Boca Chica, Texas
Quelle: pa/NurPhoto/Reginald Mathalone
Breathe a sigh of relief at technology visionary Elon Musk: The US aviation authority FAA did not impose a launch ban on SpaceX’s largest rocket, as environmentalists had demanded. Nevertheless, the 120-meter specimen may only take off if 75 – sometimes very bizarre – conditions are met.
MWe waited for months, and the decision was postponed several times because there were 17,000 concerned complaints from the population. The American aviation authority FAA has now presented its report on the environmental influences when the billionaire and technology entrepreneur Elon Musk launches the world’s largest and most powerful rocket with the Starship upper stage in Texas in the future.
The FAA gave the green light. It imposed 75 conditions – mostly of a special nature. But no starting ban, as demanded by environmentalists. Therefore, Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX was happy to announce: “One step closer to Starship’s first orbital test flight.” And Musk added: “For the first time there is a rocket that is able to establish permanent bases on the moon and Mars. “
The FAA comes to the conclusion that the launch of the 120-meter high rocket with 33 engines alone in the first stage, each delivering 230 tons of thrust, will have little or no impact on the region’s air quality. The number of starts is limited to ten flights per year. All other launches must be done in Florida, where SpaceX is also currently building several launch pads. At the CO2-Emission gives the regulatory authority the all-clear.
Der CO2-Emissions from the expansion of the spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas, the test operation, the take-offs and landings amounted to 43,892 tons per year. That is negligible compared to the total CO2balance sheet in the United States, and there is no way to estimate the specific impact, the FAA writes. Estimated emissions will have “likely no impact” on global climate change and sea level rise.
However, the FAA is concerned that the vibrations during the launch could damage 17 historic buildings or that debris could destroy houses in the event of a false launch. SpaceX must therefore take out insurance for the maximum amount of damage from third parties of over $500 million for each launch. Part of the list of requirements is that the lighting in the facility is adjusted before the sea turtle nesting season. During the nesting period, checks must be carried out between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. at night.
One of the curious requirements is that SpaceX must create a report on the events of the Mexican War (1846-1848) and the Civil War (1861-1865) and put up display boards for the historical buildings in the region. SpaceX should also take care of better fishing opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico and the region as a whole. It plans to spend $5,000 annually on a fishing equipment purchase program so more people can try fishing. A viewing platform will be built to observe wildlife and $5,000 will be spent annually to protect the ocelot predator species.
While the space company SpaceX takes the 75 conditions calmly, there is harsh criticism from environmentalists. Blogs and social media have raised suspicions that environmental regulations are being circumvented through donations.
Insiders suspect that the government in Washington or Nasa has no interest in slowing down Elon Musk’s mega rocket. It consists of the lower tier, known as Super Heavy, and the Starship upper tier, all of which are reusable. The Starship upper stage is to land manned on the moon (Artemis program), which is now expected for around 2025. Flights to Mars are also planned in the future. The rocket is said to be able to carry over 100 tons of payload or 100 astronauts.
SpaceX still has to wait for the final green light
The release of the launches from Texas that has now been granted by the FAA is a milestone, but not yet the final green light, because NASA still has to agree. After many delays, Elon Musk is now expecting a first test flight of his monster rocket in July. Another launch is scheduled for August.
In the discussion about possible environmental damage caused by rocket launches, the space industry is trying to score points with the use of satellites. Tory Bruno, head of the large US rocket company ULA (United Launch Alliance), published a calculation according to which the use of the US satellite navigation network GPS saves the equivalent of 1.74 billion liters of fossil fuel every day because no detours are taken.
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