SpaceX Wants to Launch Space Rockets 120 Times Each Year

SpaceX is looking to increase its space launches soon as the Elon Musk-led company poses to deploy rockets 120 times each year.

According to TechCrunch, SpaceX on Tuesday shared its ambitions to launch its Starship rockets from NASA's Kennedy Space Center 44 times per year.

SpaceX Wants to Launch Space Rockets 120 Times Each Year

(Photo : Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP via Getty Images)

With the Federal Aviation Agency preparing a separate launch pad for SpaceX's Starship, more space launches are expected to roll out in the following years, especially with its test flight as part of its Artemis missions' commitment.

These would be in addition to the two existing launch sites SpaceX has already built in southeast Texas. Combined, the total space flights could number an average of 120 launches each year.

Amid the aerospace manufacturer's ambitious goal, competing private firms have already filed complaints to regulators over potential disruptions to other businesses looking to secure launch permission.

Also Read: US Leads in Record-Breaking 210 Orbital Launches in 2023

Environmental Concerns Rise Amid SpaceX Rapid Deployment

Environmental groups and experts have already expressed concerns about SpaceX's plans to expand its rocket deployments due to their impact on space junk, carbon emissions, and resource consumption.

Scientific American has previously alerted potential "risk of creating dangerous debris" threatening the safety of astronauts with the increase of rocket ship parts left in space with each launch. 

The company's massive satellite system, Starlink, in particular, was a concern due to its leftover junk becoming space hazards.

One scientist even noted that Starlink satellites are responsible for 1,600, or 50%, of all close encounters in modern space launches. 

Space Junk Problem to Grow with Commercial Launches

With NASA opening its floodgates for more private space missions in the future as it retires the International Space Station, these dangers are expected to surge as more companies join the space race.

So far, Blue Origin is looking to bring even tourists into space as its planned low-orbit space station, Orbital Reef, receives more support.

The United Launch Alliance is also expected to increase satellite deployments as its parent companies, Lockheed Martin and Boeing Defense, increase focus to more potential space ventures.

Boeing itself is contributing to the space debris as it continues to increase space flights for the Artemis missions.

Related Article: Florida Incident Highlights Growing Space Junk Issue

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