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SpaceX and the Air Force: Hypersonic Cargo Delivery Plans Halted
Recently, the U.S. Air Force has put a stop to its collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX on a project to test hypersonic rocket cargo deliveries from a remote Pacific atoll. This information was first reported by Stars and Stripes, a publication independent of the military.
The decision to suspend the testing arose after Reuters highlighted concerns from biologists and environmental experts, who warned that the initiative could potentially harm numerous seabirds nesting in the wildlife refuge at Johnston Atoll. This atoll, an unincorporated U.S. territory, is located nearly 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii.
Initial plans by the Air Force included conducting an environmental assessment of the project. However, the release of a draft assessment faced delays due to pushback from various environmental organizations.
As of now, neither the Air Force nor SpaceX has provided any immediate comments regarding the situation. However, a spokesperson for the Air Force mentioned that they are actively investigating alternative sites for the program.
The initiative aims to utilize commercial rocket technology, such as those developed by SpaceX, although no official partnerships with private entities have been announced. The goal is to test rocket re-entry vehicles capable of transporting up to 100 tons of cargo anywhere on Earth in approximately 90 minutes. This breakthrough in military logistics would facilitate rapid supply deliveries to far-flung locations.
Nevertheless, experts express concerns that the project could be detrimental to the 14 species of tropical birds that inhabit the island, which is part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
SpaceX has faced scrutiny for its impact on wildlife in other areas as well. For instance, a previous launch of the Starship rocket in Boca Chica, Texas, resulted in the destruction of nests and eggs of protected plover shorebirds, leading to legal complications for Musk’s company. In a light-hearted response to the aftermath, Musk humorously remarked that he’d avoid eating omelets for a week as a form of penance.
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