President-elect Donald Trump plans to attend on Tuesday (11/19/2024) the launch of SpaceX‘s Starship, the company of tycoon Elon Musk, who will be part of his government and has become an inseparable figure of the Republican politician.
According to American media such as The New York Times or Politico, Trump plans to accompany the launch that will take place this Tuesday in Texas, although there is no official confirmation from the former president (2017-2021).
The rocket, the largest built to date, will take off at 4:00 p.m. local time (22:00 GMT), from Starbase, the base of Musk’s firm, located near the town of Boca Chica, very close to the border with Mexico.
It will be the sixth test carried out by the device, and according to Musk’s company, it aims to “expand the capabilities of the ship and the thrusters, and get closer to reusing the entire system online.”
Musk and trump, inseparable
The Starship wants to become the first private service to reach the Moon and Mars and establish permanent presences and colonies on those planets, a vision repeated and considered viable by the magnate.
The also owner of Tesla has become an inseparable figure from Trump. He was during the presidential campaign, becoming one of his main donors, and also after his victory in the elections on November 5 against Democrat Kamala Harris.
Especially since it became known that in the next Administration of the president-elect he will be in charge of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE, in English).
If NASA certifications are achieved, Starship will be part of the Artemis III mission, the first in more than half a century that will return a crew to the lunar surface and which is scheduled for 2026.
What are the potential consequences of increased collaboration between private space companies and government, particularly in relation to environmental regulations?
World-Today-News: Good evening and welcome to our show. Today, we have two special guests with us, Jane Smith, a space industry analyst, and John Doe, an environmental consultant. We’re here to discuss the upcoming launch of SpaceX’s Starship, and the impact of Elon Musk’s involvement in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Let’s start with you, Jane. What are your thoughts on the significance of president-elect Trump attending the Starship launch on Tuesday?
Jane Smith: Well, it’s certainly exciting news! The Starship has been a highly anticipated project in the space industry, and any publicity it can get is beneficial. However, it’s also interesting to see the relationship between Musk and Trump, who have been quite public with their support for each other. This could potentially open up more partnerships and collaborations between the government and private space companies like SpaceX.
John Doe: Absolutely, Jane. Elon Musk has been quite vocal about his plans to colonize Mars and establish a presence on other planets. However, I can’t help but wonder about the environmental impact of these endeavors. Not to mention, the resources required for such projects could be better utilized to address some of the pressing issues we’re facing on Earth right now, such as climate change.
World-Today-News: That’s a valid point, John. Moving on to you, Jane. As a space industry analyst, you have a grasp on the capabilities of the Starship. Could you shed some light on the technological advancements that make this rocket unique and what it means for the future of space travel?
Jane Smith: Certainly! The Starship is designed to be fully reusable, which is a huge step forward in reducing the cost of space launches. It’s also the most powerful rocket ever built, capable of carrying up to 150 tons to low Earth orbit. This makes it a potential game-changer for commercial space travel and exploration beyond Earth’s orbit.
John Doe: Interesting. But as an environmental consultant, I’m concerned about the environmental impact of these types of rockets. They generate a lot of pollution and greenhouse gases, which contribute significantly to climate change. How
