SpaceX wants to go to Mars. To do so, environmentalists say it's trashing Texas

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/10/nx-s1-5145776/spacex-texas-wetlands

11 9 2 years ago

natch• 2 years ago

These people lack perspective. If (when) there is a civilization-ending asteroid impact, people with their priorities straight will have more to worry about than a handful of birds nests on a sandbar in Texas.

__m• 2 years ago

They’ll probably have other things on their mind than saving the rich and lack a savior complex where they need to save civilization

jimrandomh2• 2 years ago

This article appears to be about the false claim that the water-deluge system (which sprays water to protect the launch pad from heat and to dampen noise) was "industrial wastewater". The headline is pedantically true because environmentalists did say it, but is definitely and intentionally misleading.

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF• 2 years ago

false claim

Just to add some more context. From the linked article:

Experts contacted by NPR disagree with the company’s statement. The water is being used to cool the launch pad as Starship’s engines fire. While drinking water may be used in the system, after it comes into contact with the rocket exhaust, it contains high levels of dissolved solids and potentially toxic chemicals like zinc and hexavalent chromium, according to the license application submitted by SpaceX to Texas regulators.

From the SpaceX post[0]:

Outflow water has been sampled after every use of the system and consistently shows negligible traces of any contaminants, and specifically, that all levels have remained below standards for all state permits that would authorize discharge.

There doesn't seem to be any reason to suspect SpaceX's claims about the contamination so it sounds like they're not running afoul of any state regulations. It's worth noting that they did pay a related fine to the EPA but that doesn't appear to be due to their practices:

The subsequent fines levied on SpaceX by TCEQ and the EPA are entirely tied to disagreements over paperwork. We chose to settle so that we can focus our energy on completing the missions and commitments that we have made to the U.S. government, commercial customers, and ourselves.

0: https://www.spacex.com/updates/

jimrandomh2• 2 years ago

I looked at the license application that was linked to, and while it contains many tests measuring zinc and hexavalent chromium, none of them are "high levels" (as compared to EPA standards for drinking water).

mainecoder• 2 years ago

The environmentalist are getting in the way of progress thanks to them China is now the leader in Nuclear Energy with 55 operational and 22 in construction. SpaceX needs to work with the Export Regulations administration to be able to launch from other Non-US locations while still ensuring that classified information does not leak buying land building tall walls around it then launching. China is only second place to SpaceX, if SpaceX fails China will undoubtedly be the number one. China is already a the World's only manufacturing Superpower[1], China is already the leader in infrastructure, they can build bridges that no American Contractor can deliver at the scale, speed and quality because there is no experience. The US should really work to create competition in its military contractors and other industries protectionism is not the way forward it is a symptom and a sign to show which industries America will have a difficulty competing in. The CHIPS Act is a sudden reaction to what has been happening for over 20 years, a sudden $50 Billion will help but is not sufficient to be ahead, and sanction are now pushing China to better self sufficiency.

[1]https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/china-worlds-sole-manufacturi...

gengelbro• 2 years ago

Someone compare the pollution to the average steel mill. The focus here is political and clickbait focused.

FloorEgg• 2 years ago

"industrial wastewater" - I was under the impression that it was potable drinking water being discharged somewhere that regularly monsoons.

coffeeindex• 2 years ago

Mars for the rich, Earth for the poor

SpaceX wants to go to Mars. To do so, environmentalists say it's trashing Texas

Related Stories