The United States Air Force has suspended a rocket delivery project with Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, due to concerns about wildlife safety.
The project was supposed to test SpaceX rockets to deliver military cargo quickly—up to 100 tons anywhere in the world in just 90 minutes. The testing was planned at Johnston Atoll, a small and remote island in the Pacific Ocean, about 800 miles from Hawaii.
However, this area is home to many seabirds, with 14 different species nesting there. Environmental experts and biologists warned that rocket launches could harm the birds and their habitat.
Because of these concerns, environmental groups protested, which delayed an official environmental review. The Air Force has now said they are looking for a new location for the tests.
A Similar Case Before: Elon Musk’s “No Omelette” Promise
This is not the first time SpaceX has faced environmental issues. In the past, a Starship rocket launch in Texas destroyed bird nests and eggs, leading to legal trouble.
In response, Elon Musk joked that he would “not eat omelets for a week” to make up for the damage—since omelets are made with eggs, it was a way of showing regret, although many people found it to be a strange response.
So far, neither the Air Force nor SpaceX has given a public comment about the recent project halt.
