Latest news with #MarsColonization
Gizmodo
21-07-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
FAA Allows SpaceX to Drop Starship Rocket Bits on Sacred Hawaiian Island
Elon Musk's obsession with colonizing Mars is polluting Earth. As SpaceX seeks to ramp up its launches of Starship, it's also expanding its splashdown area where pieces of the rocket are allowed to litter the Pacific Ocean. A recent expansion threatens marine wildlife surrounding a sacred island in native Hawaiian tradition. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved SpaceX's request to rain down debris in the waters surrounding Mokumanamana, an uninhabited island in Northwestern Hawaii known for its religious and cultural sites, The Guardian recently reported. SpaceX's operations in Boca Chica, Texas, have already had an impact on wildlife in the surrounding habitat, and now the company is looking to increase its rate of Starship launches and to expand the area where bits of the rocket can fall. The company was initially granted a license to launch its Starship rocket five times each year, but that number quickly quadrupled when the FAA approved SpaceX's request to fly the largest rocket ever built 25 times a year in 2024. Along with the rapid launches, SpaceX also sought to expand the designated area in the Pacific Ocean where bits of its rocket might fall. SpaceX's megarocket has had nine test flights so far, and some of them have ended with massive explosions that dropped metal scraps on inhabited areas in Turks and Caicos and several Caribbean islands. No injuries were reported, and SpaceX was allowed to fly Starship again and again after brief investigations into the incidents. With the FAA's recent approval of SpaceX's new splashdown area, the company will be allowed to litter larger regions of the Pacific Ocean that include Mokumanamana and seven other Hawaiian islands that lie within a UNESCO world heritage site, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, according to The Guardian's report. Papahānaumokuākea is the largest marine conservation area in the world, home to threatened or endangered plants, birds, seals, and sea turtles, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As SpaceX launches more Starships to the skies, the debris could threaten marine life in the protected waters the same way the rocket has had a negative effect on the wildlife surrounding its launch site. Local wildlife groups in Texas have long criticized the FAA for overlooking SpaceX's impact on the surrounding habitat. SpaceX's launch site in South Texas is surrounded by a wildlife habitat that's considered a refuge to several endangered and threatened species like ocelots, piping plovers, and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles. Starship's inaugural liftoff, which sent chunks of concrete and metal thousands of feet away from the launchpad, prompted a review of environmental impacts and potential threats to endangered species in the Boca Chica region. Conservation groups even sued the FAA for its approval of SpaceX's expanded launch operations in Boca Chica, Texas, without adequate environmental review. The lawsuit claims that the FAA didn't require an in-depth environmental impact statement before approving SpaceX's Starship plans. SpaceX's impact even reached Mexico, with local scientists saying that debris from the exploding rocket is killing wildlife, including dolphins, sea turtles, and fish. Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is threatening to sue over possible contamination from SpaceX's rocket launches. Despite the widespread condemnation of Starship's impact on Earth, the FAA is seemingly not at odds with these environmental concerns. 'We, especially as Native Hawaiians who have a special relationship to that place, simply want an honest and true assessment of the risk before consenting to the raining of thousands of pieces of a failed rocket,' William Aila, the former chair of Hawaii's department of land and natural resources, told The Guardian.
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- Science
- News.com.au
‘Stupidest thing': Scientist rips Elon Musk's Mars dream to shreds
Those who've chosen a career in science follow one rule: you need to doubt yourself. American astrophysicist and author Adam Becker says it's 'essential to the process', as told to Rolling Stone. After all, you can only start to understand the world if you hold the possibility that what you currently believe may be, well, wrong. It's a trait that Becker believes tech billionaires don't necessarily share. In this case, he's talking about SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and his plan to colonise Mars, which he labels as the 'stupidest thing' anyone can choose to do. 'What this sort of crystallised for me,' Becker said to Rolling Stone, 'was that these tech guys – who people think of knowing as a lot about science – actually, don't really know anything about science at all.' Elon Musk has positioned Mars as a lifeboat in the event that Earth suffers a catastrophic event that makes it no longer livable. The tech billionaire has boldly claimed a million people could live in a self-sustaining settlement, possibly comprising 'glass domes' on Mars in just 20 years. 'The important thing is that we build a self-sustaining city on Mars as quickly as possible,' Musk previously said during an interview with Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson on the Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast. 'The key threshold is when that city can continue to grow, continue to prosper, even when the supply ships from Earth stop coming at that point, even if something would happen on Earth. 'It might not be World War III – civilisation could die with a bang or a whimper.' He said it would take another decade and a half to make the planet sustainable for one million people to call it home, claiming, 'I think it can be done in 20 years'. It's a possibility that doesn't feel totally out of line with today's rapidly increasing innovation and technology. After all, Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos's space company, recently sent six women to space on its New Shepard rocket, including Katy Perry, who marks the world's first pop star to visit space. But Becker believes that even if Musk's theory of civilisation on Earth dying off, it still wouldn't make Mars a better option for humans to inhabit. 'Earth is always going to be a better option no matter what happens to Earth,' he said. 'Like, we could get hit with an asteroid the size of the one that killed off the dinosaurs, and Earth would still be more habitable. 'We could explode every single nuclear weapon, and Earth would still be more habitable. 'We could have the worst-case scenario for climate change, and Earth would still be more habitable. 'Any cursory examination of any of the facts about Mars makes it very clear.' Brutal. But while it sounds harsh, he's not the only person to voice criticism. Canadian-American theoretical physicist and cosmologist Lawrence Krauss also believes that Musk may have his sights set a little too high when it comes to exploring life in space. 'What happens is, governments lead the way and then once we know how to do things, industry can generally improve upon it and do it cheaper and we'll see that,' he previously told 'I think the future of near-Earth exploration will be industry, but it gets so much more expensive and so much more dangerous. 'I think Elon is underestimating both of those, even though he's very ambitious and he's able to do things that they didn't think would be possible.' Starship tests have already been marred by two failures this year. In its latest attempt earlier this year in March, the uncrewed Starship spacecraft exploded minutes after taking off from Texas. Footage shared on social media shows debris from the rocket, which was on its eighth test flight, streaking across the sky near Florida and the Bahamas. 'During Starship's ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost,' SpaceX wrote on X. 'Our team immediately began co-ordination with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses. The company noted it would review the data from the test flight 'to better understand root cause'.
Sustainability Times
15-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Elon, Mars Is a Hellhole': Astrophysicist Slams Musk's Vision, Says Even Nuclear Apocalypse Makes Earth a Safer Bet
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Elon Musk's vision of Mars colonization faces criticism from astrophysicist Adam Becker, who deems it an unrealistic fantasy. of Mars colonization faces criticism from astrophysicist Adam Becker, who deems it an unrealistic fantasy. 🌍 Becker argues that even under apocalyptic scenarios , Earth would remain more hospitable than Mars due to its breathable atmosphere and protective magnetic field. , Earth would remain more hospitable than Mars due to its breathable atmosphere and protective magnetic field. ❄️ Mars presents significant challenges with its harsh environment , including thin CO₂ atmosphere, extreme cold, and toxic soil. , including thin CO₂ atmosphere, extreme cold, and toxic soil. 🔬 Efforts to terraform Mars are seen as impractical, with Becker advocating for prioritizing Earth's preservation instead. In a world where technology and innovation are rapidly advancing, discussions about the colonization of Mars have captured the public imagination. Spearheaded by influential figures like Elon Musk, these discussions often position Mars as a potential sanctuary for humanity in case of catastrophic events on Earth. However, astrophysicist Adam Becker challenges this popular narrative, arguing that such ideas are more fantasy than feasible strategy. In the face of Earth's potential apocalyptic scenarios, Becker believes that our planet, even if ravaged, would remain far more habitable than the cold, barren deserts of Mars. The Martian Dream: Elon Musk's Grand Vision Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of SpaceX, has not shied away from expressing his ambition to make humanity a multiplanetary species. Central to this vision is the colonization of Mars, which is often depicted as a lifeboat in the event of terrestrial cataclysms. However, Adam Becker, an esteemed astrophysicist and author, considers this idea to be a prime example of technological optimism that is disconnected from the physical realities of space colonization. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, Becker did not mince words, calling the notion 'one of the most foolish things one could say.' Becker's critique is rooted in the sheer impracticality of establishing a sustainable human presence on Mars. The Martian environment poses insurmountable challenges that make it a far less viable option compared to a damaged Earth. While Musk's goals are laudable in their ambition, Becker argues that they overlook the inherent difficulties of adapting the human species to a world that is inherently hostile and unforgiving. 'Candle on the Moon Detected': This Underground Lab's Mind-Blowing Sensitivity Is Rewriting the Limits of Human Technology Surviving Earth's Catastrophes: A Comparative Analysis To support his argument, Adam Becker presents three extreme scenarios: an asteroid impact comparable to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, a global nuclear war, and runaway climate change. In each of these dire circumstances, Becker asserts that Earth would still be more accommodating than Mars. This is because, despite significant devastation, Earth would retain essential elements such as a breathable atmosphere, suitable gravity, accessible water, and natural protection from harmful radiation. The table below highlights the stark differences between a post-cataclysmic Earth and present-day Mars: 'They Found the Missing Matter': Cosmic Radio Bursts Used to Map Long-Lost Atoms Hiding Across the Universe for Billions of Years Criterion Earth (Post-Cataclysm) Mars (Today) Atmosphere Rich in oxygen and nitrogen, dense 95% CO₂, pressure 0.088 psi, unbreathable Average Temperature Potentially reduced -81°F, extreme constantly Water Presence Oceans contaminated but present Deep ice, inaccessible Magnetic Field Present, protective Absent, direct cosmic radiation Soil Contains organic matter Toxic, rich in cancer-causing perchlorates On Mars, life would be confined to pressurized domes, and any failure in critical systems would lead to immediate disaster. Conversely, Earth, even after a planetary disaster, could still harbor pockets of life capable of recovery and regeneration. Terraforming Mars: Science or Science Fiction? Elon Musk envisions a Mars transformed by human ingenuity: detonating nuclear bombs at the poles, deploying giant mirrors in space, and constructing climate-controlled greenhouses. Yet, transforming Mars into Earth 2.0 is an immense challenge that includes: 'Elon Musk, You're Ignoring the Truth': Astrophysicist's Startling Claim—Earth Would Remain a Paradise Compared to Mars After Nuclear Apocalypse Releasing enough CO₂ to thicken the atmosphere. Creating a sustainable greenhouse effect to warm the planet. Building an artificial magnetic field for protection. Even if all CO₂ reserves were unleashed, the atmospheric pressure would reach only 7% of Earth's, inadequate for survival without pressurized suits. The colossal cost of transporting materials, food, water, and humans across 34 million miles makes the endeavor daunting. Becker concludes that investing in Mars for survival is akin to abandoning a ruined hospital to survive in a radioactive desert with no oxygen. 'Better to preserve our planet, even wounded, than to exile ourselves to a giant open-air pressure chamber,' he argues. Without a credible interplanetary Plan B, the focus must remain on safeguarding this blue jewel suspended in space, the only known sanctuary for life. In the end, the debate over Mars colonization raises profound questions about our priorities as a species. Should we direct our resources towards a distant, uncertain future on another planet, or should we invest in healing and protecting our own? As we stand on the precipice of space exploration, the choices we make today will shape the destiny of humanity. What path will we choose as we look to the stars? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (23)
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX's Starship explodes in Texas during preparations for 10th test flight
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. SpaceX's newest Starship vehicle just went up in smoke. The company was testing a Starship upper stage at its Starbase site in South Texas on Wednesday night (June 18), to prepare for the megarocket's upcoming 10th flight test. But something went very wrong, as video captured by shows: The vehicle exploded, sending a massive fireball high into the dark Texas skies. SpaceX acknowledged the incident in an X post early on Thursday morning (June 19), noting that it occurred around 11 p.m. local time (midnight EDT and 0400 GMT on June 19). "A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for," SpaceX added in the post. "Our Starbase team is actively working to safe the test site and the immediate surrounding area in conjunction with local officials. There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue." SpaceX is developing Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, to help humanity colonize Mars, among other ambitious exploration tasks. The vehicle consists of two elements, both of which are designed to be fully and rapidly reusable — a first-stage booster called Super Heavy and a 171-foot-tall (52 meters) upper-stage spacecraft known as Starship, or simply Ship. It was Ship that exploded on Wednesday night, on a test stand at Starbase's Massey site (not the orbital launch mount, from which Starship liftoffs occur). According to NASASpaceflight, which closely monitors Starship activity at Starbase, the anomaly occurred just before Ship was set to perform a static-fire test. Static fires are common prelaunch tests, in which a rocket's engines are briefly ignited while the vehicle remains anchored to the ground. SpaceX had already conducted a static fire with this Ship, though that trial involved just one of its Raptor engines; this test may have been intended to fire up all six of them. SpaceX has also already static-fired the Flight 10 Super Heavy booster, successfully igniting all 33 of its Raptors. Related Stories: — SpaceX reached space with Starship Flight 9 launch, then lost control of its giant spaceship (video) — Starship and Super Heavy explained — Elon Musk says SpaceX will launch its biggest Starship yet this year, but Mars in 2026 is '50/50' Wednesday night's explosion continued a string of setbacks for Starship upper stages. Ship has broken apart on the last three Starship test flights, which launched in January, March and May of this year. On Flight 7 and Flight 8, the "rapid unscheduled disassembly" occurred less than 10 minutes after liftoff. Ship flew significantly farther on Flight 9; SpaceX lost contact with the vehicle about 46 minutes after liftoff, and its pieces are likely resting on the Indian Ocean seabed. Super Heavy has performed better. On Flight 7 and Flight 8, for example, the booster returned to Starbase after launch for a dramatic catch by the launch tower's "chopstick" arms. The Flight 7 Super Heavy flew again on Flight 9, notching a major reusability milestone for the Starship program. (SpaceX did not attempt to recover the booster on Flight 9, and it broke apart as it was coming in for a planned "hard splashdown" in the Gulf of Mexico.) SpaceX is still looking into what happened on Flight 9, an investigation overseen by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. So there was not yet an official target launch date for Starship Flight 10 — and, if there had been, it would now have to be revised after the events of Wednesday night.
Al Arabiya
19-06-2025
- Science
- Al Arabiya
SpaceX Starship explodes during routine test in Texas
One of tech billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX Starships exploded during a routine test late Wednesday in Texas, law enforcement said, adding that no one was injured. The Starship 36 suffered 'catastrophic failure and exploded' at the Starbase launch facility shortly after 11:00 pm (0400 GMT Thursday), a Facebook post by the Cameron County authorities said. Musk's Space X said the rocket was preparing for the tenth flight test when it 'experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase'. 'A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for,' Space X added on social media. 'There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue.' Starbase on the south Texas coast, near the border with Mexico, is the headquarters for Musk's space project. Standing 403 feet (123 meters) tall, Starship is the world's largest and most powerful rocket and central to Musk's long-term vision of colonizing Mars. The latest setback follows an explosion of a prototype Starship over the Indian Ocean in late May. The biggest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built had lifted off on May 27 from the Starbase facility, but the first-stage Super Heavy booster blew up instead of executing its planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The previous two outings also ended poorly, with the upper stage disintegrating over the Caribbean.
