SpaceX Denies Environmental Risk From Starship Debris

SpaceX has denied that debris from its Starship rocket, which exploded during a static fire test on June 18 near Brownsville, Texas, poses an environmental threat to Mexico. The incident generated widespread concern after fragments were reportedly found on beaches in Tamaulipas, raising questions about potential contamination.

“As previously stated, there are no risks to surrounding areas. Independent tests conducted on the materials inside Starship, including toxicity analyses, have confirmed they do not pose chemical, biological, or toxicological hazards,” SpaceX said in a statement released on social media.

The company noted that a safety zone was established around the test site before any tests and was maintained throughout the operation. Additionally, SpaceX has requested assistance from both Tamaulipas state and Mexican federal authorities to recover the debris and has offered resources to aid in cleanup efforts. The company also said its recovery operations have been hindered by unauthorized persons entering private property, without specifying who these individuals are.

Environmental groups, however, present contrasting data. Conibio Global documented the collection of roughly 2t of plastics and synthetic materials, along with approximately 13 metal tanks containing phosphorus, a highly reactive substance capable of causing severe skin burns and organ damage if ingested. These findings were part of the Mexican government’s consideration in deciding to launch investigations.

President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that SpaceX’s operations near the border carry risks of contamination to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in Mexico and may threaten the safety of neighboring communities.

The explosions on June 18 and a prior incident in late May, following the ninth failed flight of Starship, resulted in debris dispersing across natural and aquatic environments along the Rio Bravo’s Mexican margins. These events have intensified scrutiny of SpaceX’s activities and cross-border environmental impacts.