Hey everybody, welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast. This is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads. That shape. SpaceX Tesla X The Boring Company. And Neuralink. I'm your host, Will Walden. Blue Origin has called upon the Federal Aviation Administration to impose restrictions on the number of Spacex's Starship launches from Kennedy Space Center. This recent move is part of the ongoing rivalry between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.
Blue Origins complaint aims to limit Spacex's Starship operations at Launch Complex 39 A currently the site for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. SpaceX plans to use this complex for its Starship launches, proposing up to 44 launches annually. The FAA in May released Spacex's proposal for these high frequency Starship operations at Kennedy, including the necessary infrastructure to support such a
launch schedule. The public comment from Blue Origin is the latest chapter in a long standing feud between Bezos and Musk. The two have frequently engaged in public and legal disputes over Space Flight supremacy, with both aiming to pioneer space tourism. Musk, known for his sharp retorts, responded to Blue Origins filing on social media platform X, which he owns, with the comment Sioux Origin. He further accused Blue Origin of using legal maneuvers to slow down Spacex's progress.
Although Blue Origins comment holds no legal power, it will be considered by the FAA as they decide on the restrictions for Starship's operations at Kennedy. SpaceX is in the process of obtaining a Commercial Launch Vehicle Operator license for Starship at Launch Complex 39 A. This process includes preparing an Environmental Impact Statement EIS under FAA supervision to assess potential
environmental impacts. The maiden voyage of Starship ended in an explosion, causing significant damage and prompting an FAA investigation. The blast from the launchpad in Boca Chica, Texas, damaged property up to six miles away, leading to legal action from environmental groups against the FAA. SpaceX has since improved the launchpad at Boca Chica to better contain debris and
mitigate environmental impact. Despite these improvements, Blue Origin is leveraging the incident in its plea to the FAA. Blue Origins public comment cites the environmental scrutiny Starship operations have faced, including the lawsuit against the FAA, as a reason for the FAA to limit Starship launches at Kennedy. Blue Origin also has operations at Kennedy Leasing Space Launch Complex 36 and other facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The company employs over 2700 people in Florida with significant investments in infrastructure at the site. The filing expresses concern about the safety of Blue Origins property and personnel in case of a Starship launch anomaly, such as explosions or debris. It also mentions potential interference with shared infrastructure and limited
resources. Blue Origin pointed out the massive fuel capacity of Starship Super Heavy Booster, highlighting the potential for significant environmental impact and safety hazards that could affect other operations at Kennedy. The company urged the FAA to cap the number of Starship launches, limit launch times, and invest in infrastructure to make Kennedy safer for other launch
providers. Blue Origin also called for compensation for commercial activities impacted by Starship and penalties for SpaceX if it violates its EIS or license. Blue Origin is developing its own heavy lift rocket, New Glen, which has faced delays and has not yet flown. The rocket has secured several contracts, including one with NASA for a Mars mission, but the rivalry with SpaceX remains fierce. The rivalry has been especially public, with legal battles and public taunts.
After losing a court case against NASA in 2021 over the Artemis Human Landing System contract, Blue Origin later secured a separate contract as a second provider in the military sector. Blue Origin recently won a significant contract with the US Space Force for 30 launches worth up to $5.6 billion, following previous losses to SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. Musk's public responses continue to reflect his contentious relationship with Bezos with accusations of legal obstruction
rather than direct competition. Blue Origins latest filing underscores the intense competition and ongoing disputes between the two space companies. The FA as decision on the requested restrictions for Spacex's Starship launches will be an important move for the company as it will need hundreds of launches from Kennedy Space Center for the lead up to launch astronauts to the moon for the Artemis missions. Hey, thank you so much for listening today. I really do appreciate your support.
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