Group items tagged

The segments mated briefly on Friday are codenamed B4 (the Super Heavy booster) and Ship 20 (the Starship upper-stage). The pair won't launch until they have a licence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The government agency is currently conducting an environmental review that will invite at some point a 30-day public consultation. So, the maiden orbital outing is still some way off. But Mr Musk is very keen that it should happen well before the end of the year. He described seeing the brief mating of the segments on Friday as a "dream come true". He has to make Starbase work, everything else is dependent on it. Never good to have all your eggs in one basket.

It will form a dress rehearsal of sorts for Musk's eventual aim of Martian exploration. And even thought it still sounds like science fiction, Barker thinks we should not underestimate Musk's ambition to reach the Red Planet. More confirmation not to doubt Musk and his drive to Mars.

"Mr. Musk has had an assist from Texas. The state has allocated around $30 million in incentives for SpaceX's Boca Chica operations. In 2013, state lawmakers passed a bill allowing Cameron County to temporarily close beach and beach-access points for spaceflight activity, despite the Texas constitution's protection of the public's free and unrestricted access to beaches." An indication that the community doesn't love it. He railroaded his way in and is staying. I think, sadly most will just leave and take the money.

Not everybody is happy about Musk rolling into south Texas. There are issues with the environment as well - the area he picked is ripe birds and other critters that need protecting from big business.

The battle lines are drawn!