Outraged residents call out SpaceX proposal for exploding rockets: '[It] just does not make sense'

What happens when rocket debris falls dangerously close to one of the world's largest marine sanctuaries? Hawaiian residents and environmental advocates aren't staying quiet as SpaceX, Elon Musk's private space company, moves forward with plans to expand rocket testing.

According to Surfer Magazine, the proposal has people fired up, worried that falling debris from failed tests could seriously mess with fragile marine ecosystems near protected areas.

What's happening?

The company wants to boost its annual rocket launches from five to 25, according to the FAA's latest draft environmental assessment cited by the magazine. Some of those Starship rockets are set to crash right into designated spots in the Pacific Ocean, plus areas near Indonesia, Western Australia, and South America.

Hawaiian residents and environmental advocates are particularly alarmed because some crash zones border Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, a federally protected sanctuary hosting rare reefs, seamounts, and wildlife unique to Hawaiʻi.

During an FAA public meeting in January, most participants voiced strong opposition, according to SFGate.

"It looks like there's a magical line drawn around these protected areas, where space junk is going to fall on either side of these areas and magically will not fall on the protected areas," said Stephanie Fried, a former adviser to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve. "This just does not make sense."

Why is this important?

Over 580,000 square miles of protected ocean, filled with fragile ecosystems, endangered species, and cultural sites that matter deeply to Native Hawaiians could be affected. If these rockets fail, they could dump toxic materials into the water, mess up delicate marine habitats, and put local fisheries and migrating humpback whales at risk.

Unfortunately, the FAA isn't asking for a new environmental impact review. They're sticking with reviews from 2022, which critics say only look at best-case scenarios. They assume the rockets will break apart cleanly or won't cause much damage, without really considering what could go wrong if things go sideways.

But critics are calling that out, saying it ignores what could actually go wrong, like rockets exploding on impact or scattering debris.

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What's being done about it?

Environmental activists, Native Hawaiian leaders, and local communities are mobilizing to demand stricter oversight. Organizations like the Surfrider Foundation are leading legal challenges, while public advocacy is pushing for the FAA to conduct a comprehensive environmental review.

Individuals can back up these efforts by submitting public comments to the FAA during open review periods, supporting environmental groups like Surfrider Foundation and local Hawaiian conservation efforts, and raising awareness about the issue through social media and community discussions.

Protecting these critical ecosystems requires not just local action but also national attention to ensure corporate accountability.

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