SpaceX Plans to Increase Number of Starship Flights – Blue Origin Expressed Concern
12th Jul 2024
As the date of the first New Glenn launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida approaches, Blue Origin raises concern about the significantly increasing number of SpaceX’s Starship flights.
Blue Origin’s Response to SpaceX’s Starship Ambitions
Florida’s Space coast includes two main locations: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) with many launch complexes.
SpaceX has plans to launch its Starship rocket up to 44 times per year from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and 76 times from CCSFS’s SLC-37, making it 120 launches per year from the Florida coast.
The Department of the Air Force is creating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the new rocket to launch from Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 37.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is performing a similar environmental impact statement on a Starship launch pad from KSC’s Launch Complex 39-A where SpaceX currently flies its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.
Both statements are meant to examine the environmental impacts of Starship launches and landing operations.
Blue Origin Critiques SpaceX’s Starship Launch Plans
The FAA accepted public comments on the scope of the plans and Blue Origin took the opportunity to log its concerns.
According to the Blue Origin Commentary: “Starship-SuperHeavy operations are expected to have a greater environmental impact than any other launch system currently operating at KSC or CCSFS. A launch can hold up to an unprecedented 5,200 metric tons of liquid methane for propulsion, resulting in Qualified Distances for safety margins that potentially overlap the operational sites of other companies, the Government, and the public. Accordingly, the EIS should thoroughly evaluate the considerable risks, alternatives, mitigations, and resources”.
Among the main concerns of Blue Origin are:
- The health and safety of the population in the surrounding area
- The quality and safety of air, water, and ground resources as it relates to the release of toxic or hazardous materials
- The standard of working conditions and quality of life for personnel operating on and others living, working, or recreating as impacted by operational interruption, noise, pollution, or operating hazards
- The safety of personnel and Assets at KSC and nearby sites
- The capacity of the roadways
- The safe and continuous access to the limited airspace and maritime resources necessary for Blue Origin to operate
- The safe and continuous access to common-use infrastructure and utilities.
Environmental Impact Under Scrutiny
Among Blue Origin’s suggestions was limiting the number of launches SpaceX can perform from the Florida coast.
The inaugural launch of New Glenn is scheduled for 29 September 2024 from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36 in Florida.

The Space Force’s environmental impact statement states that SpaceX would modify, reuse, or demolish the existing infrastructure at SLC-37.
The statement for SLC-37 also considers an alternative: SpaceX would construct new infrastructure on an undeveloped site, SLC-50 at CCSFS. The construction should include deluge ponds, fuel tanks, and a catch tower.
SpaceX, the most prominent American aerospace private company, has ambitious plans for future launches. From the beginning of 2024, it has already conducted 46 launches. Blue Origin, one of SpaceX’s competitors operating within the same launch complex, has raised some serious concerns and offered mitigation measures to minimize environmental risks caused by SpaceX launches.
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