In a recent development, Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, has raised concerns over SpaceX's plans to launch its massive Starship and Super Heavy rockets from Florida's Cape Canaveral. As Blue Origin prepares for the first launch of its New Glenn rocket this year, the company has taken the opportunity to log its concerns, highlighting potential environmental and operational impacts of SpaceX's ambitious launch plans.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is currently developing the most powerful rocket ever, aiming to reach orbit from its test site in Texas. However, the company also has plans for launch pads at both Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and neighboring Kennedy Space Center. This has prompted the Department of the Air Force to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for SpaceX's rocket, aiming to take over the space previously used by United Launch Alliance.

Simultaneously, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is undertaking a similar environmental impact assessment on a Starship launch pad at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-A, where SpaceX currently launches its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. Blue Origin has expressed its concerns during the public comment period, suggesting limitations on the number of SpaceX launches in Florida.

Highlighting its significant investment of over $1 billion at Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 36, Blue Origin points out that its operations employ thousands of full-time employees in Brevard County, with several hundred directly impacted by local launch activities. The company's interests in the FAA's assessment include preserving the safety of personnel and property as well as historical and environmental resources.

Blue Origin specifically raises concerns about launch pad anomalies, debris dispersion, blast overpressure, sonic boom overpressure, explosions, fires, air quality, noise, and other potential effects during launch, landing, or other operations. They also raise concerns about maintaining safe and continuous access to limited airspace, maritime resources, and common-use infrastructure necessary for their own operations.

One of Blue Origin's main concerns is the sheer power and size of SpaceX's Starship, which can produce around 17 million pounds of thrust on launch, more than twice the power of the Saturn V rockets from the Apollo program. With plans for numerous launches each year, Blue Origin suggests that the FAA's EIS should thoroughly evaluate the risks, alternatives, mitigations, and resources involved.

Aside from suggesting limitations on launches, landings, and operations for SpaceX, Blue Origin proposes government investments in additional launch infrastructure to reduce the impacts on other launch companies. They also suggest giving other launch providers the right of first refusal or schedule priority for conflicting launch opportunities. Blue Origin further recommends that SpaceX or the government indemnifies third parties for any losses caused by Starship operations and imposes mandatory penalties for noncompliance with environmental restrictions or other regulations.

While both Blue Origin and SpaceX compete for time on the range, Blue Origin is also concerned about securing maritime assets, such as booster recovery vessels, at Port Canaveral. SpaceX has already launched 46 times in 2024, compared to United Launch Alliance's three launches, setting the stage for a potential record-breaking year with over 100 launches. A Space Florida report predicts a growth to 200 launch and recovery missions annually by 2028 and over 1,250 missions in the next five decades.

Amidst this backdrop, Blue Origin continues its preparations for the first launch of its New Glenn rocket. The company recently posted a video showcasing a successful test simulation of the launch tower's rapid retract system, a crucial component for rocket liftoff. Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket will rely on seven BE-4 engines, contributing to its powerful liftoff thrust and using liquefied natural gas mixed with liquid oxygen.

With numerous launches already under contract, including NASA missions and support for future Artemis human landing missions, Blue Origin has secured its position as one of the providers under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 launch services procurement, alongside SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. This contract could be worth up to $5.6 billion over the next five years.

As the competition heats up in the commercial space industry, the concerns voiced by Blue Origin highlight the complexities and potential conflicts that arise when multiple companies strive to dominate the space launch market. The decisions made by the Department of the Air Force and the Federal Aviation Administration will play a crucial role in shaping the future of space exploration and commercial operations.