Rosalind Evans
In a powerful statement made before the Senate subcommittee on space and science, William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX’s vice president for build and reliability and former NASA associate administrator for human exploration, accused government regulators of stifling the company’s progress on its Starship mega-rocket. This hold-up, Gerstenmaier contends, risks handing over the US’s lead in the space race, potentially allowing China to land astronauts on the moon before the US does. This assertion highlights the critical nature of the competition in space exploration and the importance of fostering an environment that enables innovation and progress.
Gerstenmaier’s concerns stem from the ongoing environmental review by the Fish and Wildlife Service and a safety review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that SpaceX is currently facing. These reviews have delayed plans to launch the Starship rocket from the company’s facility in South Texas. “It’s a shame when our hardware is ready to fly, and we’re not able to go fly because of regulations or review,” lamented Gerstenmaier. He emphasized that the lengthy licensing process, including environmental reviews, often takes longer than rocket development.
Further emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Gerstenmaier stated, “These delays may seem small in the big scheme of things, but… delays in every test flight add up. And eventually, we will lose our lead and see China land on the moon before we do.” The FAA responded to these assertions by emphasizing the importance of keeping pace with industry demand and meeting national security and civil exploration needs.
NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface, is in direct competition with China’s plans to develop a moon base. Any delays or setbacks faced by SpaceX, a significant partner in this program, could jeopardize the US’s ability to achieve its lunar exploration goals. In addition to regulatory hurdles, Gerstenmaier acknowledged the technological challenges that SpaceX continues to face in developing the Starship rocket.
As the commercial space industry evolves, the need for a streamlined and efficient regulatory framework becomes increasingly vital. The unity displayed by SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic representatives at the Senate subcommittee hearing underscores the industry’s collective call for change. It is now up to lawmakers and regulatory bodies to respond to this call, ensuring that the United States remains at the forefront of space exploration and innovation.
