SpaceX Executive Accuses Government Regulations of Slowing Progress

SpaceX’s vice president for build and reliability, William Gerstenmaier, has accused government regulations of hindering progress on the company’s Starship megarocket. The executive warns that this could give China the advantage in the race to return astronauts to the moon.

Regulation Hindrances

Gerstenmaier delivered his concerns to the Senate subcommittee on space and science, as SpaceX faces an environmental review by the Fish and Wildlife Service and a safety review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the launch of its moon rocket. He pointed out that the company has been ready to launch the next Starship test flight for a month, but has been held back by licensing and regulatory reviews.

Gerstenmaier criticized the FAA, stating that these regulatory delays have “nothing to do with public safety.” He also noted that these regulatory hold-ups could give an advantage to state actors like China in the space race. The executive warned that the cumulative effect of constant delays could see China land on the moon before the US.

FAA and NASA Response

The FAA, in response, stated that keeping pace with industry demand is a priority for national security and civil exploration needs. NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon, competing against China’s plans to develop a moon base.

SpaceX’s Challenges

In addition to regulatory hurdles, Gerstenmaier acknowledged that SpaceX also faces technological challenges with Starship development. The company continues to work towards NASA’s goal of having Starship ready for a lunar landing by late 2025. However, the delay in receiving the launch license has disrupted resource allocation and scheduling for SpaceX.

The Regulatory Process

The FAA has stated that SpaceX must obtain a modified license that addresses safety, environmental, and other regulatory requirements before the next Starship launch. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, which is reviewing the environmental impacts of SpaceX’s test flight, has up to 135 days to deliver an opinion after official consultation with the FAA. This could potentially push the next Starship launch into 2024.

Gerstenmaier also pointed out that a lack of staffing is contributing to regulatory delays. The FAA has acknowledged this and is working to attract, hire, and retain additional staff.

Unity in Commercial Space Industry

The Senate hearing also saw representatives from Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic. In a show of unity, all witnesses agreed that the regulatory framework for commercial space companies needs change. They called for streamlined regulations and a single federal agency for commercial space licensing. There was also consensus on extending the moratorium on regulations focused on protecting the safety of commercial spaceflight passengers.