Summary SpaceX accused of releasing pollutants from deluge system at Starbase. The company claims environmental regulators gave it the go-ahead to use water deluge system. FAA could pull SpaceX's launch license if found in violation of environmental regulations.
SpaceX could find itself in hot water after falling foul of environmental regulations at its Starbase facility in South Texas. The aerospace company reportedly released pollutants into or nearby surrounding bodies of water without sufficient permits for its water deluge system. SpaceX accused of Starbase water pollution According to a report by CNBC , a notice of violation from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) says that SpaceX released pollutants from the water deluge system at its Boca Chica Starbase launch facility on multiple occasions this year.
In records seen by CNBC, the TCEQ said it received 14 complaints " alleging environmental impacts from the Facility's deluge system ," and that, after an environmental investigation, determined that the company had discharged industrial wastewater four times between March and July of this year. In March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also issued a notice of violation to SpaceX that its activities had violated the Clean Water Act. The aerospace firm initially did not build a water-cooled flame deflector system - or deluge system - at Starbase, but constructed one after its launchpad exploded during Starship's first test flight in April 202.