SpaceX is accused of polluting Texas waters with mercury from Starship test launches, sparking EPA scrutiny.
Andrew Paul reports for Popular Science.
In short:
- An EPA report and internal communications between the agency and Texas regulators, originally published by CNBC, alleges SpaceX has been contaminating local waters near Boca Chica, Texas, with mercury due to unauthorized discharges from its water deluge systems.
- SpaceX ignored EPA warnings and regulatory processes, leading to numerous environmental incidents, including damaged wildlife habitats and health concerns for nearby residents.
- The FAA postponed environmental impact meetings regarding future Starship launches, complicating SpaceX's plans for additional tests.
Why this matters:
SpaceX's alleged environmental violations could impact local ecosystems and communities, raising questions about regulatory oversight. The issues also threaten SpaceX's plans for future launches, including NASA's Artemis 3 mission to the moon.
Read more: SpaceX's environmental challenge after Starship explosion
