Latest news with #ConibioGlobalA.C.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX rocket debris litters Mexico beach, threatens environment
Starship is the largest rocket ever launched by SpaceX, but a test flight on May 27 ended in a massive explosion, sending a tremendous amount of debris into the Gulf. Since the explosion, debris from the uncrewed booster, which was larger than the Statue of Liberty, has been washing up along the beaches of Mexico, revealing the extent of the environmental fallout from the launch. "I personally inspected 40 kilometers of beach, and the findings were shocking: clearly, millions of plastic fragments are reaching the shoreline. This puts the entire marine ecosystem at high risk, negatively affects local fishing communities, and poses a threat to boats that may collide with the floating tanks," Conibio Global A.C. posted on Facebook on June 1. "Without a doubt, our eight years of efforts to protect the Kemp's ridley sea turtle an endangered species are now facing maximum risk. In just a few days, hatchlings will begin to emerge, and we will be forced to release them on a beach covered in harmful debris, which they might mistake for food," the post read. Some of the debris has a "SpaceX" label on it, making it unmistakable where the wreckage originated. The items range from small pieces of metal and plastic to 4,500-pound tanks that were part of Starship's fire suppression system. This is not the first time a SpaceX rocket explosion has left a mark on the environment. In January, a Starship test flight broke apart over the Turks and Caicos with debris washing up on beaches across the region for weeks. Blue Origin, another rocket company, also conducted a test launch of a large rocket in January, with debris being found in the Bahamas. The FAA is requiring an investigation into the recent SpaceX Starship explosion.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Debris from SpaceX rocket launch reportedly washing ashore on Mexican beaches
MATAMOROS, Mexico - Debris from SpaceX's latest Starship test flight is reportedly being found along beaches in northeastern Mexico and parts of southern Texas, sparking concern among environmental groups and raising questions about the consequences of attempts to reach space. The material, which is believed to be remnants of SpaceX's ninth Starship test flight, includes fragments of aluminum, plastic shards and several large tanks, according to Conibio Global A.C., a nonprofit environmental organization. The test flight from nearby Boca Chica, Texas, launched with no apparent issues on the night of May 27, but, during the mission, the Super Heavy booster failed to complete a controlled landing burn and crashed into the Gulf of America. Environmental crews in Mexico have since documented widespread debris washing ashore beaches, with some of the objects recovered reportedly marked with the name 'SpaceX.' Future Of Nasa's Mega Moon Rocket Appears In Doubt Following Major Boeing Announcement Of particular concern to environmentalists is the timing of the event with the annual sea turtle nesting season. Affected beaches are known nesting grounds for several species of sea turtles, including the endangered Kemp's ridley. Conservation groups worry that hatchlings will encounter hazardous debris, which could be ingested or block their path to the sea. In addition to the threat to marine life, the environmental group says the debris poses risks to the fishing industry, which is vital to the region. The organization has been documenting cleanup efforts and is urging national and international authorities to hold the Elon Musk-run space company responsible. Spacex Launches Megarocket From South Texas, Loses Control During Mid-mission FOX Weather reached out for comment on the story and similar to all other previous inquiries, no response was received. While SpaceX has not publicly responded to the reports, the incident adds to an ongoing debate about the unintentional impacts of rocket launches. The FAA has faced previous legal action over allowing SpaceX to operate following debris being scattered across environmentally sensitive regions of the Lone Star State. While legal responsibilities may be somewhat unclear, a long-standing memo from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs states: "A launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space object on the surface of the Earth or to aircraft in flight."Original article source: Debris from SpaceX rocket launch reportedly washing ashore on Mexican beaches
