Blue Origin Raises Environmental Concerns About SpaceX, Seeks Limits on Starship Launches

Tensions are escalating in the space industry as Blue Origin, the rocket company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, raises environmental concerns about SpaceX, led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Blue Origin has filed a complaint with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), seeking to potentially limit the number of Starship launches at Cape Canaveral, Florida. In essence, Bezos’ Blue Origin is asking the FAA to restrict the number of launches that Musk’s company can conduct in Florida.

This request coincides with the FAA’s preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Starship’s Super Heavy booster, planned for launch from the Kennedy Space Center.

The massive Starship system, still under development, has only achieved limited success in its four test flights. A past launch caused intense heat and pressure, likened to a volcanic eruption, and showered nearby areas with debris. However, upon completion, Starship will be the most powerful launch system ever built.

Blue Origin’s main concern revolves around the Super Heavy booster’s massive fuel capacity (5,200 metric tons of liquid methane) which, they argue, creates safety hazard zones potentially impacting surrounding areas, including Blue Origin’s facilities and government operations.

Bezos’ company argues that Starship’s environmental impact could be significant compared to existing systems at Kennedy Space Center. Blue Origin urges the FAA to consider limiting the frequency of Starship launches, landing operations, and other activities to minimize environmental disruption. Though a specific launch cap wasn’t proposed.

The proximity of Blue Origin’s facilities to SpaceX’s launch complex further fuels their concerns. They highlight their presence at Kennedy Space Center, including a sizable manufacturing site near SpaceX’s Launch Complex 39A and other properties potentially affected by Starship operations.

Commenting on Blue Origin’s request, Musk said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Sue Origin”.

As a user on X pointed out, “…The post appears to be a tongue-in-cheek comment about Blue Origin’s past lawsuits against SpaceX, such as the one over NASA’s lunar lander contract. The phrase “Sue Origin” could be interpreted as a sarcastic way of saying that Blue Origin has a history of resorting to legal action rather than competing fairly in the marketplace.”