SpaceX, Elon Musk’s rocket manufacturing company, has firmly denied media reports claiming its operations in Texas are polluting surrounding waters. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX refuted a CNBC report alleging violations of environmental regulations by the company’s Starship launch operations in South Texas. The CNBC article cited a notice from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that SpaceX had repeatedly released pollutants into or near water bodies in Texas.
SpaceX clarified that the CNBC report misrepresented the company’s water deluge system, which is essential for protecting the launch site and surrounding area during launches. The system uses clean, potable water to absorb heat and vibration generated by the rocket engines during ignition. The company emphasized that it has worked closely with TCEQ throughout the development and testing of the system, obtaining necessary permits and undergoing rigorous environmental assessments.
SpaceX also addressed previous concerns raised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding potential pollution. The company stated that the EPA’s initial concerns were based on a misunderstanding of the deluge system’s operation and were subsequently revised after SpaceX provided detailed explanations. The EPA ultimately allowed SpaceX to continue operating, albeit requiring the company to obtain an Individual Permit from TCEQ for expanded deluge operations. This permit application was submitted in July 2024, and SpaceX is confident that TCEQ will issue the necessary approvals soon.
SpaceX has repeatedly emphasized that its operations are conducted with the utmost regard for environmental safety. The company has received green lights from both TCEQ and EPA, confirming that the deluge system operations are safe and environmentally sound.
This latest statement from SpaceX follows previous denials of environmental damage claims related to its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Last month, Elon Musk dismissed allegations that SpaceX’s operations were threatening the piping plover population, stating that any damage was minimal and would be rectified.
SpaceX’s Starbase facility is currently the sole location for all development and manufacturing of the ambitious Starship launch vehicle. The facility spans over 350 acres and includes over 222,000 square feet of manufacturing space. All four previous test flights of the Starship have been launched from Starbase, and the fifth flight, scheduled for the end of August, is expected to launch from the same location.
Starship is touted as the world’s most powerful launch vehicle, with a towering height of 121 meters and an estimated weight of 5,000 tonnes. SpaceX anticipates conducting at least six test flights of the Starship this year. The success of Starship is crucial for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon. Notably, no crew has traveled beyond low-Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Elon Musk envisions Starship as the key to future human exploration of Mars.
