A federal judge has ruled in favor of SpaceX in a lawsuit brought by an environmental group that aimed to stop the company’s rocket launches. The environmental group, Save RGV, based in Texas, claimed that SpaceX was violating the Clean Water Act by releasing wastewater from rocket launches at Starbase in Boca Chica Beach.
SpaceX uses a “deluge system” during static fire tests and launches to absorb heat and prevent explosions. The system uses clean, potable water, but the environmental group argued that it poses a risk to the environment. However, SpaceX stated that an environmental review had already been conducted and cleared the system of any environmental hazards.
The judge, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera, denied the restraining order request, highlighting that halting the rocket launches could have negative implications, including delays in contracts with NASA. The judge also emphasized that SpaceX has not been harming the environment, referencing environmental reviews conducted on the launch system.
This ruling comes just before SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is set to work closely with the incoming Trump administration. Musk is planning to collaborate with President-elect Trump on cutting government spending through the Department of Government Efficiency, along with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Overall, the decision in favor of SpaceX reinforces the importance of balancing environmental concerns with technological advancements in the aerospace industry. It also underscores the significant role that SpaceX plays in furthering space exploration initiatives, such as the Artemis Program and Human Landing System Program with NASA. The ruling serves as a reminder of the careful considerations required when evaluating the impact of innovative technologies on the environment and society as a whole.
