If there are leaders in the aviation and space industry, the spacex is the company. Dragon crew and the Space Dragon Products Is a vehicle to the present to send astronauts and supplies to international space stations
NASA's contract Give to Spacex Until the year 2030, the value of nearly $ 5 billion and including research and development Art Mission To send astronauts back to the moon In the past decade, Spacex became the main distributor of the US Department of Defense. Contract 733.5 million dollars For various projects such as the launch of the preventive satellite network and participation Objectives of other national security areas–
if Human geographyI am interested in commercial areas and the prevention company affects the local communities that they operate and test. For example, I spent more than two years in Kazakhstan to research. The processing of the Soviet Space Project And the beginning of World -class commercial space industry–
Elon Musk and Spacex influence
Spacex is a huge bean to the United States. If the supplier and the defense contractor in the United States of America has helped Almost ending Almost two decades Dependence on the Russian Federation For accessing the International Space Station, Elon Musk, its billionaire, has even expressed. Planning to set Mars colony–
Musk Decision to spend $ 250 million Helping Donald Trump won the presidential election in 2024 is expected to occur. Lead to more support for the spacex– In the new management, Musk is ready to be the leader of the newly created advice called Department of EfficiencyWhich may lead to Benefits for his business and expanding ambitions in his space.–
Boca Chica, Texas is the location of Spacex's. Starbase testing and installation set– Since 2021, I have researched with the environmental groups and many community members of Latin and the indigenous descent in South Texas, who saw space exploration as an industry changes that affect the Stay well with them
After watching Starbase's development, since 2014, the villagers there told me that there was something invisible and didn't talk about what had happened on the ground, while the aviation and space giants for the stars.
Break the eggs to make omelets
Starbase is a file. Industrial installation Created by Spacex to create and test the number of rockets of a number of companies. Unique and delicate ecosystem Which includes the mouth of the river and grassland, coast, mud, and others.
Synthesis Construction beganSpacex engineers must drain the soil with water flowing at the water level and pour the concrete to support the ground tracking station. Building, engine testing, dormitory standing, launching nearly 500 feet (152 meters) and fuel mixed and fuel storage.
In a long response to Claims of local environmental groups According to environmental violations, the company confirms that there is dedication for environmental care.
But the development of rockets is Dangerous and messy businesses– Selected site for children of work Always not installed in a distance and is always safe The explosion that is on the ground or in the air has never heard in the past many years. Rocket test in Scotland– China and Japan Ended in an accident
In April 2023, one of the Starship Rockets prototypes of Spacex Explosion throughout Mexico Not long after lifting This is not the only time. Explosion rocket In a place where SPACEX works
SPACEX operates compact, although increased at Boca Chica, which changed the small village area. Previously known as Copper Shores and Spacex. Almost all about 35 houses, livestock farms In some residents, reporting pressure on the sale of real estate at a bad price after the rumor that the counter will use. Famous domains to seize Their residence
I went to Rebekah Hinojosa, local activists and members of the tribe. Texas Carrriso-Comcruudo while researching in the area For many local people, including Hinojosa, it seems that Musk is Very good connection SPACEX is a insulation from public criticism.
At the press conference in 2018 Musk said“We have a lot of land that no one is around, so if it explodes, it's cool.” Meaning the rocket that he plans to test at Starbase.
Landscape change
Starbase size installation cannot be avoided. Annoying wild animals In the area of wildlife protection of the state and the central government, the four different locations surrounded
If you walk through the protected areas, you may see SEEL SHAPNEL of the chassis, rockets and other random scraps from any explosives – that is, if others have not received them first.
In December 2022, I visited the camp near Starbase. It shows the various parts of the rock scraps, which they call Memorabilia to the new space age throughout the website.
Inside the spacex, just like the NASA explosion of the year 2023 is Celebrating is an important step. In the development of Starship, this event creates information about the effectiveness of the rockets – it has done only a little to damage the company's reputation.
There is a lot of support for the spacex. In Texas– The company has Promise to push the high -tech industry Entering the most poor regions in the country
SPACEX created a job about 2,100 positions. However, Reporting Local politicians and states have seen personal interests in the ownership of real estate and campaign budget than the region's economy.
Robert Kopack
Laboratory near the community
At the end of the day to develop rockets, you must have a place to test your design.
“Our local beach is a laboratory” Local activist. Hinojosa told me.
The integration of the Latin and Shigano people, including conservation groups Sue The Park and Wildlife Department of Texas, Flight Management of the Central Government and others to fight with SPACEX.
These groups confirm that Spacex Craped State and Federal Regulators regarding Starbase's operations, they claim that Spacex changes the frequency that plans to launch tests and create new facilities for many rockets, which run according to the traditional environmental impact statement for the company for Incorrect space
Some important issues, these groups are fighting prayer. To expand the Starbes Entering more protected areas Another issue of the dispute is Flood systemWhich creates thousands of gallons of washing water to cool the heat and rockets after the test
While EPA and the Texas Environmental Quality Commission Has informed the spacex Regarding the violation of the Clean Water Act, the latest claims confirmed that these agencies are not a hero that the company is responsible for breaking the law. The company has denied any offense and Reject the claim Or danger to the environment
“If we have created the ability to launch and develop new websites all over the country, we are committed to public security and reduce environmental impacts.” Spacex command– “List of measures that we use for operations in Texas are more than two hundred lengths, including continuous inspection and short -term samples of short -term and long -term healthy and local animals. The storytelling that we do for free or in anti -environmental rules is false.
So what will the future be? Many people from the conservation agency, activists and local community in Texas. Because the company left– With a high public support for space survey in the United States and the burden of friendship between Musk and Trump, the Spacex evacuation from the area seems unlikely.
While it may require difficult negotiations to receive concessions from each party. But I hope that somewhere will have a central area where space exploration and environmental protection can live together.
Robert A. KopackHuman geographic teacher South Carolina University
This article was repeatedly published from dialogue Under the Creative Commons License Original article–