SpaceX continues to face criticism from environmentalists who say the company’s actions are endangering South Texas’ wildlife and environment.
The aerospace company has conducted several Starship launches in Boca Chica, Texas. April 2023 is First near-orbit test A spaceship said to be the most powerful rocket ever built.
But it looks like the rocket exploded planned event — kicked up a cloud of debris that had built up in a town six miles away, sparking a massive force. resemble To an earthquake.
“It was really scary,” said one local resident. Said New York Times.
The rocket’s engine also tore off part of the concrete launch pad, sending chunks of concrete from the launch pad into the air and damaging cars parked in a nearby town.
A similar explosion occurred during a Starship launch in November 2023, scattering debris in the area. report Written by My San Antonio.
These explosions also affected the local environment, with huge concrete boulders and other debris impacting the coast near the launch pad and surrounding tidal flats.Multiple brush fires ensued — approx. 150 acres It burned in the first fire, but 11 acres MySA said “sensitive dunes” were the second most affected.
Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, a local environmental group, told MySA that the area is a critical area. habitat Rare and endangered species such as ocelots, apromado falcons, piping plovers, red-knots, snowy plovers, and common rails.It is also an important place in spring and autumn. bird migration.And that kemp ridley sea turtle MySA reports that the nest is located just 400 meters from the launch site.
The overall impact on wildlife is unknown, but an explosion in April “incinerated” a colony of blue crabs and seven brown quail eggs in a local state park. Biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remained in disbelief about the environmental damage the beaching caused.
SpaceX has also faced backlash for its plans to dispose of contaminated water that would devastate wetlands.The company recently requested dumping of 200,000 Gallons and more of wastewater entering South Bay 1,100 According to MySA, people submitted opposing comments to the Texas Environmental Commission.
FOWC Chairman Jim Chapman said: outlet Even in a local environment maybe not very similar“This is a very important area for many shorebirds, and it’s also important habitat for many endangered animals. There aren’t many places like it. It’s a unique area.”
Meanwhile, the founder and owner of SpaceX Elon Musk (@elonmusk) joined Twitter, formerly known as X, in April 2023 To tell:”congratulations @SpaceX The team is working on an exciting test launch of Starship! We learned a lot! [the] The next test launch will be in a few months. ”
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