SpaceX, the prolific US-based aerospace manufacturer, recently hit out at the US government for the lack of regulatory support which it claims is delaying its ambitious Starship program and putting the US’s space-superiority in doubt.
The comments were made by SpaceX president and chief operating officer, Gwynne Shotwell, who lamented the delays in the approval of the Starship rocket which SpaceX intends to use to launch people around the world, while also exploring deep space and the Moon.
“We need to get out of our own way. We need help from the Government to approve the designs so we don’t have overly burdensome regulations that slow us down”, Shotwell said.
The Starship program is SpaceX’s most ambitious project to date, with Elon Musk aiming to eventually fly a piloted mission around the Moon. After several delays in the program, including last year’s comprehensive failures that destroyed two prototype rockets, the company is eager for the US government to grant regulatory approval so that the project can progress.
SpaceX has now been trying to get regulatory approval for its Starship program for more than two years, without much success. While SpaceX’s ultimate goal is ambitious, the issue of regulatory delays is very real and could have serious implications for the US’s standing as a pioneering leader in the field of space exploration.
The lack of progress in the US’s regulatory system has allowed other countries such as China to gain an advantage in the race for space. China’s largest space mission to date- the 2019 Tianwen-1 exploring the planet Mars- is an indication of the potential of Chinese space exploration.
By comparison, SpaceX has yet to receive the regulatory approval it needs to progress its plans, and could be at risk of falling behind those countries. If the US continues to struggle with regulation, its current superiority in space exploration could be jeopardized.
Shotwell believes that government support is essential to help the US reach its goals. “We need to get out of our own way. We need help from the Government to approve the designs and regulations so that we can stay ahead in this industry,” she said.
It is clear that if the US is serious about maintaining its place as a world leader in space exploration, it has to look at ways to streamline its regulatory approval process. Otherwise, it may risk being left behind by other countries in the race to space.