In a surprising revelation, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has claimed that the company was once required to conduct an unusual experiment involving seals as part of their environmental impact assessments for rocket launches.
During a recent interview on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Musk described a bizarre scenario where SpaceX was compelled to "kidnap a seal, strap it to a board, put headphones on the seal, and play sonic boom sounds to it" to assess the potential impact of rocket launches on local seal populations.
The experiment, which Musk insists actually took place, was reportedly conducted to address concerns about the effect of sonic booms from rocket launches on seal procreation near Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Despite the area's history of rocket launches and a steadily increasing seal population, environmental regulators apparently required this unique study.
Musk expressed his bewilderment at the situation, noting the absurdity of the requirement given the historical evidence suggesting that rocket launches had not negatively impacted seal populations. He even joked that, based on the data, rocket booms might be an "aphrodisiac" for seals.
"SpaceX was forced by the government to kidnap seals, put earphones on them and play sonic boom sounds to see if they seemed upset," Elon Musk said in a post on X.
The SpaceX CEO claimed to have photographic evidence of the experiment, describing a surprisingly calm seal wearing headphones while strapped to a board. The test was reportedly conducted twice, using different seals each time.
This unusual anecdote highlights the complex and sometimes perplexing regulatory landscape that space companies must navigate.
While environmental impact assessments are crucial for protecting wildlife and ecosystems, Musk's story raises questions about the appropriateness and effectiveness of certain required studies.
The revelation has sparked discussions in the space industry about the balance between environmental protection and the advancement of space exploration. Some experts argue that such extreme measures may be unnecessary given the historical coexistence of space activities and wildlife in launch areas.
SpaceX has been facing regulatory hurdles from the US government for its ambitious Starship Super Heavy test launches, which was recently conducted.
There have been several environmental concerns in and around SpaceX's Boca Chica Starship Super Heavy testing facility. SpaceX has said that it conducted its own nine-year monitoring program using a protocol developed with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which showed little to no evidence of a decline in the piping plover population at Boca Chica over time.
