SpaceX Has a BIG New Problem With Starship
Summary
TLDRSpaceX faces delays in its Starship launch program due to regulatory hurdles from the FAA and environmental agencies, pushing the next launch until at least November. While SpaceX claims bureaucratic delays are harming progress, the FAA insists the delays stem from new, unsubmitted data from SpaceX regarding environmental impacts and flight plans. Meanwhile, the Polaris Dawn mission, led by Jared Isaacman, made history with a record-breaking spacewalk at 700 km altitude, testing new EVA suits for future Mars and lunar missions. This mission marks a major milestone in private spaceflight, signaling the start of a new space race.
Takeaways
- đ SpaceX's Starship launches are delayed due to regulatory hurdles from the FAA and EPA, with no launches expected before November.
- âïž The delays stem from environmental and public safety concerns, with each side (SpaceX and regulatory bodies) blaming the other for setbacks.
- đ SpaceX expressed frustration in a blog post, stating that government paperwork is taking longer than rocket development.
- đ Regulatory agencies are worried about environmental impacts, including potential damage to wildlife and marine life near the launch site.
- đ ïž SpaceX is aiming to conduct a unique flight test, attempting to return the Super Heavy booster to the launch site and catch it midair for the first time in history.
- đ„ Changes to the launch plan triggered additional regulatory reviews, including assessments of sonic booms and environmental risks.
- đ§ SpaceX faced fines for using their water deluge system without proper permits, though they argue their system uses clean drinking water.
- đ°ïž Despite delays with Starship, SpaceX achieved a milestone with the Polaris Dawn mission, where private citizens performed a spacewalk at 700 km altitude.
- đ§âđ The Polaris Dawn crew tested new SpaceX EVA suits designed for future Moon and Mars missions, marking significant advancements in private space exploration.
- đ The mission also tested Starlinkâs laser communications in space and gathered data on space radiation and zero gravity's impact on the human body.
Q & A
What is the primary issue delaying SpaceX's Starship launch?
-The primary issue delaying the Starship launch is a clash between SpaceX and regulatory agencies like the FAA and EPA over environmental and safety concerns. SpaceX blames regulatory delays, while the FAA claims that SpaceX's changes to the flight profile require additional review.
What changes did SpaceX make that required additional regulatory review?
-SpaceX made modifications to their Starship flight plan, including an attempt to return the super heavy booster to the launch site and catch it mid-air, which is a novel operation in rocketry history. These changes require new environmental assessments.
Why is SpaceX frustrated with the FAA and EPA?
-SpaceX is frustrated because it claims that bureaucratic delays, specifically superfluous environmental analyses, are slowing down its launch schedule and threatening larger goals, including NASA's Artemis mission and SpaceX's Mars ambitions.
What are the FAA's main concerns regarding the Starship launch?
-The FAA's concerns include the sonic boom generated by the super heavy booster, potential impact on local wildlife and coastal habitats, and the environmental effects of the water deluge system used at the launch site.
Has SpaceX been fined for environmental violations?
-Yes, SpaceX has been fined by both Texas regulators and the EPA for operating their water deluge system without proper permits and for liquid oxygen discharge violations. The total fines amounted to around $150,000.
What is the significance of the Polaris Dawn mission?
-The Polaris Dawn mission made history by performing the highest human spacewalk ever at 700 km above Earth, with a goal to test new SpaceX EVA suits. This mission pushes the boundaries of private space flight and gathers important data for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
What were the risks involved in the Polaris Dawn spacewalk?
-The spacewalk was highly risky because the spacecraft had to be depressurized without an airlock, and the new EVA suits had never been tested in space. Hazards included tiny space debris, visor fogging, overheating, and the risk of failure during re-entry.
What technological advancements were tested during the Polaris Dawn mission?
-The mission tested Starlink's laser communications in space, brand-new EVA suits, and studied the effects of space radiation and zero gravity on the human body, all of which are critical for future Moon and Mars exploration.
Why did the FAA request more time to review SpaceX's flight plan?
-The FAA needed more time to assess the environmental impact of SpaceX's new flight profile, which includes the super heavy booster attempting a mid-air catch, a maneuver never tried before. The new profile also affects a larger area, requiring more detailed analysis.
What impact could the delays have on SpaceX's broader goals?
-The delays could push back NASA's Artemis mission and slow SpaceX's progress toward making life multiplanetary, particularly with its goal of reaching Mars. SpaceX emphasizes that frequent flights are key to operationalizing the Starship system.
Outlines
đ SpaceX Faces Delays in Starship Launch Due to Regulatory Challenges
SpaceX is facing significant delays in launching its Starship, largely due to regulatory issues involving the FAA and the EPA. Initially expected to launch in September, the timeline has been pushed back to at least November. SpaceX blames excessive environmental reviews for the hold-up, arguing that these delays risk NASA's Artemis mission and SpaceX's goal of reaching Mars. The FAA countered that SpaceX altered its launch plans, necessitating further reviews. This regulatory back-and-forth highlights tensions between innovation and safety concerns, as SpaceX aims to streamline the approval process for faster launches.
đ Environmental and Safety Concerns Surrounding Starshipâs Next Flight
SpaceX's next Starship flight faces scrutiny over potential environmental impacts, particularly regarding the super heavy boosterâs return. Concerns include the sonic boom affecting wildlife, the risk of the booster crashing outside SpaceX property, and the location of debris splashdowns. Additionally, SpaceXâs water deluge system, meant to control heat and fire risks, has been criticized for potential mercury contamination, a claim SpaceX disputes. The FAA and other agencies are carefully reviewing these factors before approving the launch, further delaying the mission.
đ§âđ Polaris Dawn Mission Breaks Records with Historic Spacewalk
The Polaris Dawn mission achieved a milestone when Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis conducted a spacewalk at a record altitude of 700 km, the farthest a human spacecraft has traveled since the Gemini program. The mission tested new SpaceX EVA suits, with safety and technology at the forefront, as the crew faced risks like space debris and suit malfunctions. The success of this spacewalk represents a significant step for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, while also advancing crucial technology for space exploration.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄSpaceX
đĄStarship
đĄFederal Aviation Administration (FAA)
đĄPolaris Dawn
đĄEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)
đĄFlight test number five
đĄSonic boom
đĄSuper Heavy booster
đĄStarlink laser communications
đĄSpacewalk
Highlights
SpaceX's Starship launch delays are largely due to a conflict between regulatory agencies and SpaceX over environmental and safety concerns.
SpaceX claims that regulatory delays risk pushing back NASA's Artemis missions and SpaceXâs goals of making human life multiplanetary.
The FAA claims that SpaceX changed their flight plan for Starshipâs next launch, requiring additional environmental reviews.
SpaceX's new flight test will attempt to return the Super Heavy booster to the launch site and catch it midair, a first in rocket history.
The FAA and environmental agencies are concerned about the sonic boom and potential impact on local wildlife from the Super Heavy boosterâs return.
Environmental concerns also focus on where the Super Heavyâs hot stage ring will splash down, potentially affecting marine life.
SpaceX faces scrutiny over its water deluge system, with media reports claiming it releases harmful mercury into the environment.
SpaceX was fined by Texas regulators and the EPA for operating the water deluge system without proper permits.
The Polaris Dawn mission made history with Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis performing the first private spacewalk at an altitude of 700 km.
Polaris Dawn set a record for the highest altitude a SpaceX Dragon capsule has traveled, reaching 1,400 km.
The spacewalk aimed to test brand new SpaceX EVA suits, critical for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The Polaris Dawn crew tested Starlinkâs laser communication system in space, gathering vital data for future space travel.
The mission also focused on studying space radiation and the effects of zero gravity on the human body.
The EVA was a brief but intense 16 minutes, with the crew tethered for safety and no airlock used during depressurization.
Polaris Dawn cracked open the door to future space exploration, pushing the boundaries of commercial spaceflight.
Transcripts
on today's episode SpaceX has some big
new problems this week but Polaris Dawn
definitely wasn't one of
them beginning at Star base where SpaceX
is not launching Starship to orbit this
month or next month or maybe not even
the month after that here's the Scoop
we've essentially got a Clash of the
Titan situation going on here in the
blue Corner Elon Musk and the space
exploration Technologies Corporation and
in the red tape corner it's the Federal
Aviation Administration and the
Environmental Protection Agency each
side is essentially blaming the other
for delaying starship's integrated
flight test number five something that
we had all expected would go forward
this month in September but now is
apparently delayed until at the very
least the end of November SpaceX was the
first to strike by venting their
frustrations in a blog post on September
10th and placing the blame for any
Starship delays squarely on regulatory
hurdles more specifically what they
label as Superfluous environmental
analysis which is some excellent use of
fancy language and I love to see it the
core argument made by SpaceX is that
every delay to Starship risks pushing
back NASA's emis Mission it also
threatens the United States leadership
in space and spacex's own ambitious
goals of making human life
multiplanetary by reaching the planet
Mars SpaceX writes quote our approach of
putting flight Hardware in the flight
environment as often as possible
maximizes the pace at which we can learn
recursively and operationalize the
system basically saying that Starship
needs to fly and it needs to fly often
or else nothing is going to get done
around here the company goes on to write
unfortunately we continue to be stuck in
a reality where it takes longer to do
the government paperwork to license a
rocket than it does to design and build
the actual Hardware but this is all a
bit more nuanced than just cutting
through bureaucracy the Federal Aviation
Administration the Environmental
Protection Agency and the US fish and
wildlife services are primarily
concerned about public safety and the
potential environmental impact of these
very large scale rocket launches their
mandate is not just to delay SpaceX and
for their part they've actually done a
lot over the years to enable progress
for the rocket maker who's probably
caused more explosions and Scattered
more Bri than any other private company
in the world outside of the arms
industry of course and the FAA had a bit
of an opportunity to refute these
allegations at the US Chamber of
Commerce Global Aerospace Summit which
was held on September 11th their
executive director of operational safety
Dan Murray said the schedule for the
next Starship launch is largely set by
the choices that the company makes
something he added is true for all
companies that seek launch licenses
those Chang changes include the scope of
the license they seek the timing of the
information they provide the
completeness of the application and if
the applicant changes information after
submitting the application in a separate
statement the FAA noted that the license
issued for starship's previous launch in
June allowed for multiple flights using
the same profile but SpaceX modified the
profile for their next launch and also
provided new information only in mid
August and this concerned how the
environmental impact of flight 5 will
cover a larger area than previously
reviewed thus requiring consultation
with the other agencies and this is a
point that SpaceX acknowledges in their
own statement writing the Starship and
super heavy vehicles for flight 5 have
been ready to launch since the first
week of August the flight test will
include our most ambitious objective yet
attempt to return the super heavy
booster to the launch site and catch it
in midair they then write this will be a
singularly novel operation in the
history of rocketry so let's break this
down when the FAA issued that launch
license for Starship flight number four
it came with the allowance that SpaceX
could rapidly repeat the same launch
profile multiple times in succession
which is exactly what the company claims
that they want to do and then
immediately after flight four they turn
around and say for our next mission
we're going to change things up
completely and try something that no one
else in history has ever even attempted
to which the FAA says wow okay but if
you're going to attempt a totally new
flight plan then we're going to need
some more info which SpaceX apparently
did not provide until about 1 month ago
and then based on that information a
decision was made by the FAA to
investigate and verify in collaboration
with the relevant agencies which could
take a period of 60 days to complete
some of the new considerations listed by
the federal a gency would include the
sonic boom generated by the super heavy
booster on its return to the launch site
what effect is that going to have on the
local Wildlife what happens if the
booster ends up crashing somewhere
outside of the SpaceX property there's a
coastal Beach nearby there are protected
wildlife habitats on either side of the
Launchpad there's the town of Port
Isabel that's not too terribly far away
there's also some question about the
location where super Heavy's hot stage
ring will Splash down into the ocean
if the booster is taking a different
flight path this time around to return
to Star base then that 10 ton chunk of
Steel that gets released into the air is
going to also be landing in a different
spot than before SpaceX says that this
produces no increase in likelihood for
impacting marine life but it also
appears that the FAA would prefer that
the national marine fisheries Services
double check those findings and then
there is the water Deluge system a piece
of Hardware that's been operational at
Starbase for over a year now but has
recently become the focus of what SpaceX
calls factually inaccurate reporting in
the media recently CNBC published an
article claiming that spacex's water
cooling system was releasing harmful
mercury into the environment SpaceX is
pushed back saying that their system
only uses clean drinking water and is
monitored closely with no harmful
contaminants found the company claims to
have cooperated with Texas Regulators to
ensure compliance with their water usage
we have yet to see this statement either
confirmed or denied by said Regulators
but we do know that in August the Texas
commission on Environmental Quality
levied a fine against SpaceX in the
amount of
$3,750 for operating its Launchpad water
delug system without the proper permits
so that doesn't quite add up it is a
negligible amount of money but it does
seem to counter The Narrative presented
by SpaceX this should not be confused
used with the
$148,300 fine recently imposed on SpaceX
by the EPA this ruling also noted a lack
of required water permits for each of
the seven water Deluge activations
between 2023 and 20124 plus one more
liquid oxygen discharge situation but
that was an isolated incident either way
it's still a negligible amount of money
for SpaceX but also another strike
against their whole permit narrative now
we do know that SpaceX has already
applied for the permit that they need to
prevent any more of these fines and
violations but we also know that they
didn't submit that application until
July 2024 so giving SpaceX the benefit
of the doubt it's possible that they
believed their activity was covered
under one of these generalized permits
and they just made a mistake or it's
also possible that they were provided
with bad information by someone at the
Texas regulator and simply misunderstood
the permitting process SpaceX also has
not provided any evidence about the
water contamination and mercury levels
only saying that there was a typo in
their original application which does
happen though I'd be curious to hear an
explanation as to why almost every other
metal reading on that sample is also
incredibly High not just the Mercury
anyway those are your two contenders I'm
not saying either side is right or wrong
they both appear to make some valid
points Point as far as I'm concerned I
don't think the super heavy is going to
create an ecological disaster I'd
probably drink the Starship Deluge water
if given the chance and I'm not terribly
concerned that the hot stage is going to
fall on a whale's head but I'm also an
idiot so I can't reasonably object to
having some people who actually know
what they're talking about come in and
double check this stuff just in case and
if SpaceX really wanted to launch
Starship again there's nothing stopping
them they could do it right now they're
pre-approved with the ship and booster
that they already have but they can't do
the catch attempt without going through
the process first a process that the
company appears to be dead set against
properly cooperating with so at some
point you've got to admit when you're
just shooting yourself in the
foot back at home we all have a lot of
work to do but from here the Earth sure
looks like a perfect world that's what
Jared isaacman said as he stepped into
the void becoming the first private
citizen to perform a spacewalk on
September 12 2024 the Polaris Dawn
Mission made history when isaacman and
aerospace engineer Sarah Gillis stepped
outside the dragon resilience spacecraft
at a jaw-dropping altitude of 700 km
almost double that of the International
Space Station this wasn't just a casual
stroll in space Polaris Dawn pushed to
the boundaries of private space flight
ISAC man's crew Sarah Gillis anaman and
kid potit took their spacecraft to a
record-breaking 1,400 km the farthest to
SpaceX Dragon capsule has ever traveled
this altitude shattered previous records
and was the highest a human spacecraft
has reached since the Gemini program but
the real goal testing brand new SpaceX
Eva suits that could one day take us to
the Moon Mars and Beyond these suits
could be the future of Space Explorers
and the risks they they were Skyhigh the
entire spacecraft had to be
depressurized using no air lock for
safety brand new suits that had never
been tested in the harsh conditions of
space before deadly tiny space debris
and even the threat of overheating in
the vacuum of space one wrong move and
things could have gone South fast even
visor fogging could turn a dangerous
situation into a disaster with only one
ASA having space flight experience and
none with spacewalk experience every
second was a test of Bravery in
endurance and technology and just
imagine for a moment if the hatch didn't
seal properly after their Eva the crew
would be exposed to the vacuum of space
on their way back relying solely on
their limited life support systems
risking catastrophic failure during
re-entry The Space Walk a short but
intense 16 minutes no fancy acrobatics
just gripping the Skywalker handles and
methodically testing the suits isaacman
emerged first with Gillis close behind
they were tethered the entire time this
wasn't for show it was about survival
and making sure that everything worked
as designed even opening the hatch was a
first for a commercial crew don't let
the Simplicity fool you this mission is
packed with some serious Tech
breakthroughs the crew tested starlinks
laser Communications in space and
studied how space radiation and zero
gravity affects the human body all
crucial data for future moon and Mars
missions this test just cracked open the
door to the Future the space race is
only just beginning and the stakes have
never been higher buckle up because
Adventure awaits
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