5 ms·

Being able to launch from somewhere does not make that place an optimal location.

by RecycledEle 3y ago

sidewndr46 3y ago
Corporations aren't entitled to optimality at the expense of the environment
- pixl97 3y ago
  You're telling me your giving up your car, and your computers, and everything else you use that comes with an environmental cost. What's worse is non-optimal launches will have far more environmental impact because you have to do more of them or use more fuel. Talk about cutting off your own nose.
- justrealist 3y ago
  What SpaceX is doing in Boca Chica is completely irrelevant compared to other environmental damage being done completely legally ex, in Louisiana by shipping and the oil industry, simply because it is grandfathered in. Like, literally dredging thousands of acres of wetlands into the gulf as regular business. Everything that happens affects the environment somehow, but the scrutiny here is wildly disproportionate to the actual impact, of disrupting a couple acres of beach. The "corporation" of SpaceX is a unique national asset that no other nation currently has, and it provides incredible value to US citizens to maintain that edge (Starlink alone, and Starship would give us a launch capacity that dwarfs Russia or China). That matters! That's important! This isn't a "corporations vs the people" issue. Industrial policy requires thoughtful tradeoffs, and this FAA/EPA action isn't one.
  - snovv_crash 3y ago
    This. SpaceX gives the US unique advantages that the wildlife on this beach doesn't. I'm surprised the DoD hasn't already overridden the EPA on this for matters of national security.
    - justrealist 3y ago
      The DoD doesn't have veto power over the EPA, and executive leadership on industrial policy is completely AWOL. The administration could massively accelerate it with a couple phone calls, but I doubt they are even aware of the situation.
- mcpackieh 3y ago
  It's a baffling suggestion anyway no matter which direction you look at it from, there's nowhere on the west coast of the US that would be friendlier regulatory environment SpaceX than Texas. They would still have to deal with the exact same federal government, except to launch west they'd also have to deal with California and that would be jumping out of the frying pan straight into the fire. So what exactly would you hope to solve by launching west? Launching west to solve SpaceX's problems at Boca Chica cannot be a serious suggestion, honestly just baffling.

Being able to launch from somewhere does not make that place an optimal location.

sidewndr46 3y ago

Corporations aren't entitled to optimality at the expense of the environment

pixl97 3y ago
You're telling me your giving up your car, and your computers, and everything else you use that comes with an environmental cost. What's worse is non-optimal launches will have far more environmental impact because you have to do more of them or use more fuel. Talk about cutting off your own nose.
justrealist 3y ago
What SpaceX is doing in Boca Chica is completely irrelevant compared to other environmental damage being done completely legally ex, in Louisiana by shipping and the oil industry, simply because it is grandfathered in. Like, literally dredging thousands of acres of wetlands into the gulf as regular business. Everything that happens affects the environment somehow, but the scrutiny here is wildly disproportionate to the actual impact, of disrupting a couple acres of beach. The "corporation" of SpaceX is a unique national asset that no other nation currently has, and it provides incredible value to US citizens to maintain that edge (Starlink alone, and Starship would give us a launch capacity that dwarfs Russia or China). That matters! That's important! This isn't a "corporations vs the people" issue. Industrial policy requires thoughtful tradeoffs, and this FAA/EPA action isn't one.
- snovv_crash 3y ago
  This. SpaceX gives the US unique advantages that the wildlife on this beach doesn't. I'm surprised the DoD hasn't already overridden the EPA on this for matters of national security.
  - justrealist 3y ago
    The DoD doesn't have veto power over the EPA, and executive leadership on industrial policy is completely AWOL. The administration could massively accelerate it with a couple phone calls, but I doubt they are even aware of the situation.
mcpackieh 3y ago
It's a baffling suggestion anyway no matter which direction you look at it from, there's nowhere on the west coast of the US that would be friendlier regulatory environment SpaceX than Texas. They would still have to deal with the exact same federal government, except to launch west they'd also have to deal with California and that would be jumping out of the frying pan straight into the fire. So what exactly would you hope to solve by launching west? Launching west to solve SpaceX's problems at Boca Chica cannot be a serious suggestion, honestly just baffling.