SpaceX conducted a “full-pressure test” of its new “flame deflector” system at the Starship Super Heavy launch site in Texas. However, it has come to light that the company did not apply for the necessary environmental permits to discharge industrial process wastewater into the surrounding area, as required by the Clean Water Act.
The flame deflector, also known as a water deluge system, is designed to dissipate heat, sound, and energy during test flights and launches of SpaceX’s largest rocket. The company has not disclosed the amount of water used in the system test or its runoff location, raising concerns about its potential impact on the surrounding wetlands and endangered species habitat.
According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), SpaceX has not applied for a Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit for its Starbase facility. The state agency has been in discussions with SpaceX regarding industrial permitting but has not received an application thus far.
It remains unclear why SpaceX proceeded without a permit and the company has not provided a comment on the matter. Following the CNBC report on the lack of permits, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on social media about the new water deluge system, showcasing a video of water flowing from the test site into the land surrounding the facility.
Environmental engineer Eric Roesch, who monitors aerospace companies’ compliance with regulations in Texas, highlighted that industrial process water is regulated under the Clean Water Act and can degrade water quality and surrounding wetlands over time. Permits are necessary to ensure proper treatment and safe disposal of industrial wastewater.
Failure to obtain permits can lead to criminal enforcement actions, including significant fines and even imprisonment, as outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The TCEQ has recommended that applications for wastewater treatment facilities should be submitted at least 330 days prior to construction. The agency also stated that stormwater permits have a quicker processing time.
Previous incidents at the Boca Chica site, including a mid-flight explosion, have raised concerns about environmental impacts. The FAA grounded the SpaceX Super Heavy launch program pending a mishap investigation. The incident also prompted a lawsuit against the FAA for authorizing tests and launches without a comprehensive environmental assessment.
Jared Margolis, senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed concerns about running tests without a permit and the lack of transparency regarding changes to the launch site and procedures. Margolis emphasized the importance of public involvement and compliance with the National Environment Policy Act.
The FAA clarified that the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica is not licensed by them, but the agency’s vehicle operators’ license for SpaceX remains in effect.
Videos of SpaceX testing its new cooling system demonstrated significant water flow from the facility. The TCEQ is currently evaluating the water system’s use in SpaceX launch operations to determine if any environmental regulations were violated.
Overall, SpaceX’s failure to obtain environmental permits has raised significant concerns about the potential impact on the surrounding ecosystem and the company’s compliance with regulations.
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