Do you have a little time? please ask instead
a A federal judge in Brownsville last week denied an environmental group’s request for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction over SpaceX’s water flooding system used during its Boca Chica Beach Starbase launch.
U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera issued his ruling last Thursday on a request filed by SaveRGV on October 9th.
The group is calling for the launch to be canceled, claiming that SpaceX’s water flooding system releases untreated industrial wastewater during the launch.
The water flooding system is designed to reduce the effects of Starship’s rocket engine explosion during launch and static fire truck testing.
“During the early stages of development of the Starship Super Heavy Launch System, it became clear that a deluge system was required to protect the launch site and surrounding area during launch,” Olvera wrote in the order. are. “The deluge water system sprays a large amount of potable water onto the bottom of the spacecraft during launch to prevent fires and reduce flying dust and debris.
“Because of these risks, defendants cannot launch their spacecraft without a deluge water system.”
Save RGV had claimed that SpaceX was operating the system without proper authorization. it’s true. However, Olvera ruled that this was a “good faith mistake” and that SpaceX must obtain the proper permits for the deluge water system.
As evidence, Olvera found that SpaceX paid large civil fines. Appropriate permits have been applied for. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reviewed the permit application and determined that the deluge system would not have an adverse environmental impact. The TCEQ allowed SpaceX to continue using the system until the appropriate permit application was approved.
“The evidence also suggests that Defendants’ technical violations did not cause appreciable harm to the environment,” Olvera wrote, noting that the system was used by agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He explained that it is being reviewed by multiple government agencies. , USFW, and TCEQ.
Olvera said the FAA found there were no significant impacts to the environment or resources, but the USFW found the system could reduce the risk of harm to species during launches. Ta.
“And most importantly, TCEQ determined that, because there were no significant environmental impacts, defendants should be able to continue using the deluge system until a new permit application is approved.” Olvera wrote.
A federal judge also ruled that SpaceX could suffer significant harm if it were granted a temporary restraining order or temporary restraining order.
“Failure to launch would have a variety of consequences, not only for the defendants but also for the general public,” Olvera wrote. “It would significantly delay, and likely cancel, Defendants’ contracts with NASA to advance the multibillion-dollar Artemis and Human Landing System programs.”
The project aims to return humans to the moon for the first time since 1972 and has an ambitious schedule, but the Government Accountability Office estimates that the mission’s first leg will land in 2025. judged that there was a high possibility that it would not be completed in time.
The first hearing in the case is scheduled for February.
