Blue Origin favors limit on SpaceX Starship launch and testing

Blue Origin has filed a comment for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and suggested a limit on SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy launches.

This comment is part of Federal Aviation Administration (FFA) preparations to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of issuing a commercial launch operator license to SpaceX Starship at launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

SpaceX has planned to build a launch, landing, and other related infrastructure at LC-39A. The proposal includes a Starship landing on the pad or a droneship.

Blue Origin says the Starship and Super Heavy (Ss-Sh) test missions are subject to environmental scrutiny due to their impact on the local environment and community.

“Ss-SH operations are expected to have a greater environmental impact than any other launch system currently operating at Kennedy Space Center or Cape Capanver Space Force Station” commented Blue Origin.

The Jeff Bezos-led rocket maker also claims that Starship could impact “safety” at operational sites of other companies, the government, and the public. It forecasted that the increased Starship launch at KSC could have more impact than the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

SpaceX Starship Test Flight 4 lifting off from Boca Chica Starbase (Source – SpaceX)

The Blue Origin suggests limiting Starship and Super Heavy launches, landing, and other operations including static fires, transportation, and rocket fueling. It is mentioned that a low number of launches would have a reduced impact on the local environment, operating personnel, and the local community.

“Limiting Ss-Sh operations to particular, limited times to minimize and make predictable their impact on the local community, and allowing other launch providers the right-of-first-refusal or schedule priority for certain conflicting launch or other operational opportunities” adds Blue Origin.

Furthermore, there’s a suggestion for adding a mandatory penalty on SpaceX for not conducting launches under the EIS provision and environmental restrictions. It also wants to punish SpaceX for violating license terms or other laws, regulations, or rules.

SpaceX has been testing Starship, the largest reusable rocket and spacecraft at Starbase. The company has launched the rocket four times since April 2023.

(Source)