Blue Origin Wants To Cap SpaceX⁘s Starship Launches

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Elon Musk is once again feuding with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, this time over efforts to restrict SpaceX's Starship launches.

Blue Origin wants the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to cap Starship launches at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Musk's response : "Sue Origin."

"An obviously disingenuous response,⁘ Musk tweeted . ⁘Not cool of them to try (for the third time) to impede SpaceX's progress by lawfare.⁘

Blue Origin hasn't sued, but it did file a formal comment with the FAA about SpaceX's plans to develop a dedicated launch site for Starship, which is currently undergoing test flights in Boca Chica, Texas.

SpaceX aims to operate up to 44 Starship-Super Heavy launches per year through a Florida site called Launch Complex 39A. But the company first needs to secure a license from the FAA, which will evaluate the project for potential environmental impacts.

Blue Origin weighed in after the FAA opened a public-comment period on the plan. It leases land at neighboring sites, including Launch Complex 36, which it spent $1 billion to develop. Blue Origin also employs 449 workers at the adjacent Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Although Blue Origin is working on next-generation rockets, the company is particularly concerned about SpaceX⁘s Starship vehicle generating ⁘a greater environmental impact than any other launch system currently operating⁘ in the area, including on launch operations at other companies.

Blue Origin requested the FAA consider ⁘capping the rate of Ss-SH (Starship-SuperHeavy) launch, landing, and other operations, including but not limited to test firings, transport operations, and fueling, to a number that has a minimal impact on the local environment, locally operating personnel, and the local community.⁘