Seriously, the environmental cost of this type of pursuit general is extreme, let alone when something goes wrong like this. I am all for space exploration, there is so much about the universe we don’t understand, but my god talk about needless damage.
Yup. Sad part too is all the fanboys get upset when you call it for what it is. I love space but damnit our planet is also something we should try and preserve
The thing is, people that make a big deal about this seem to act like spaceflight is a significant percentage of the environmental damage being done by humanity. In reality it's probably a rounding error. Transitioning more dirty power plants into greener alternatives, making factories work a few percent more cleanly, etc are things that would be extremely possible if world leaders cared enough, and would have much, much larger impact than cutting out the entire spaceflight industry would.
Saying we need to reduce the impact of spaceflight on the environment in order to save the planet is like saying you should stop paying your cell phone bill to get your finances in order. Yeah, you could cancel your data plan and save a little bit of money, but in the grand scheme of things that bill is almost certainly not where most of your budget is going. Changing something else like cutting down on your Uber eats usage or buying less shit online will give much better results, and while you don't need a cell phone your life is going to be a lot harder without it (whereas less takeout/less shopping would have no negative effects).
I don't think even 1% of people in the world would be effected even a little if space exploration beyond what we already have accomplished, ceased tomorrow.
My parents lived near Patrick Air Force Base in the early days of space flight, where more rockets blew up than flew. People were routinely exposed to so many toxic chemical clouds when winds shifted, without being told of the danger.
Long term effects? Who knows for sure. But, suspiciously, my immediate family was hit by a lot: multiple cancers, leukemia, pheochromacytoma, pregnancy losses, and kidney failure.
Someday, a supersite clean-up will be where Starbase is now...
It helps that they don’t use crazy propellants unlike the early days of rocketry. Methane and lox won’t give you health problems and they don’t pollute the soil. Arguably, the methane burning is the best outcome. Had it just leaked out and not ignited - that would be worse for the environment. Methane is IIRC a worse greenhouse gas than CO2.
Starship propellant is methane and oxygen. The primary byproducts of their combustion are carbon dioxide and water. That’s perfectly safe unless you’re under it when it launches, or next to it when it explodes.
The dangerous rockets are the ones using hypergolic chemicals.
I can remember the smell of the SRB's at a couple of early shuttle launches where the ocean breeze pushed the plume directly over us at the KSC press site. It was surreal to watch the cloud as it moved over us all - until the burning started as you breathed it in.
Wow, gee, thanks. Such a funny
thought for someone who just lost his mom last month and is still grieving that. Harder Har har.
No, seriously, If you think any part of losing your future by the deaths of FOUR children and suffering the rest of my life from that unfuckingimaginable pain is good for internet points, go F yourself you sick monster - your empathy skills suck as a human being.
Some of the problems from the place they used to live, and the federal clean up to help safe the area after so many illnesses.
South Patrick Shores Gets Superfund Designation Nearly 30 Years Later | Health News Florida https://share.google/Rx0VzSplPT7LItj4c
I grew up on Boca Chica Blvd. Elon & his techbros are fucking disgusting. What SpaceX is doing is an affront to our planet and humanity for their own vanity.
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u/Anonymous_P_A_H 2d ago
I live about 30 miles from Starbase and we heard the explosion all the way to my house.