SpaceX: Starship fascinates, but its debris ravages the environment, defile the beaches and kill protected turtles

On June 18, A test of the Starship launcher by SpaceX ended in a spectacular failure off Texas. If these high altitude tests are now part of American space folklore, their concrete consequences, they do not disappear in the atmosphere.

Several weeks later, the Mexican beaches of the state of Tamaulipas pay the addition, covered with metallic debris and pieces of reservoirs stamped SpaceX. The video of a walker, filming one of these objects stranded on the sand, woke up the tensions and gave a very real face to the damage caused.

SpaceX accused of polluting Mexico beaches after a failed starship test

The problem far exceeds visual anecdote. These debris, from the explosion of Starship launcher When he returned to the atmosphere, crossed the Gulf of Mexico to run aground in Mexican territory. We are talking about dozens of large objects: reservoirs, twisted aluminum plates, composite components … up to 18 distinct elements identified for several kilometers of shore.

And it’s not any beach. This coastal area is a nesting site for Kemp’s turtles, an already threatened species. Local associations, including Conibio Global AC, alert to immediate risks: disturbance of fauna, chemical pollution, danger for turtle eggs. Without forgetting the impact for coastal communities, which live in part of ecotourism or fishing.

On the ground, the findings are alarming. Jesus Elias Ibarra Rodriguez, president of the NGO Conibio Global, claims to have personally traveled “Forty kilometers of beach”where he observed edifying scenes: “The findings are shocking: millions of plastic fragments clearly reach the shore. The whole of the marine ecosystem is in great danger.”The observation is shared at the highest level: Raymundo Morales Ángeles, secretary of the Mexican navy, denounces non-compliance with the rules by the American company. “SpaceX has not respected the maritime and environmental protocols of Mexico. We are currently examining possible sanctions with regard to international law.”

On the side of SpaceX, the answer is for the moment a mixture of polished denial and minimum cooperation. The company says the debris is “Neither toxic nor radioactive” And offers his help to recover them. But she insists on one point: these pieces always belong to her. A legal detail that could weigh heavily because the Mexican government has opened an investigation and seriously plans to file a complaint. President Claudia Sheinbaum even mentioned a possible attack on international law.

This affair falls in the worst time for SpaceX. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) recently gave the green light to intensify the launches of starship, despite increasingly numerous voices which are concerned about the environmental impact of these tests repeatedly. Far from the cameras of Boca Chica and the enthusiastic tweets of Elon Musk, the consequences are starting to materialize – on shores, in ecosystems … and in chancelleries.

Want to save even more? Discover Our promo codes Selected for you.