SpaceX faces environmental backlash amid starship tests in Texas

Starship tests are being conducted in Texas. Local environmental advocates accuse SpaceX of contaminating nearby waters with mercury. However, Elon Musk's company denies these allegations.

Starship is set to be the world's largest rocket. Its pilot program is being conducted at the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. However, the company is increasingly facing criticism from residents and environmentalists.

According to a report published by CNBC, Starship caused local water contamination with mercury. This occurred because the sprinkler system activated during the launch of the massive rocket to cool the platform.

As recently as August 2023, 14 allegations of water contamination from SpaceX systems were submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. A month earlier, SpaceX tested the deluge system without the appropriate permits. In March of this year, there was also a lack of consultation before the launch of Starship.

Elon Musk, in his characteristic style, responded to these allegations. He stated that "CNBC is terrible."

Starship’s water-cooled flame deflector system is critical equipment for SpaceX’s launch operations. It ensures flight safety and protects the launch site and surrounding area - stated SpaceX in a statement.

Also known as the deluge system, it applies clean, potable (drinking) water to the engine exhaust during static fire tests and launches to absorb the heat and vibration from the rocket engines firing. Similar equipment has long been used at launch sites across the United States – such as Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations in Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California – and across the globe - continues the statement.

This is not the first time the Starbase facility has faced criticism. Residents complain about noise, while environmentalists criticize the destruction of wildlife habitats and water pollution.

The first test flight of Starship caused a fire, and debris damaged nearby parked vehicles. Despite this, Elon Musk's team is not giving up on this investment. Ultimately, Starship is scheduled to launch from Florida. This does not sit well with Jeff Bezos and his competing Blue Origin.

Meanwhile, Starship has planned another test launch for the end of August or the beginning of September. Elon Musk's company is awaiting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval. During this time, work is being done on a system that will "catch" Super Heavy, the first stage of the rocket, which in previous attempts generated many problems, such as clouds of dust and gases that, according to local environmentalists, led to health issues.