Rocket launches set for habitats of sea lions and rare birds
Australia plans to build rocket facilities in wildlife-rich coastal areas. This threatens endangered species.
Australia plans two new rocket sites. One is at Whalers Way on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.
The other spreads across multiple sites in Western Australia. The two new sites join existing rocket facilities.
Rocket launches make extreme noise that harms nearby animals. They release chemicals that poison the ground and disturb nesting birds.
The Whalers Way site sits in a nature reserve with more than 700 native species. These include two endangered birds and the endangered Australian sea lion.
A global study found that over 60 percent of the world's rocket facilities sit near nature reserves. This threatens conservation worldwide.
Rocket facilities are usually built in coastal or desert areas, away from where people live.
- 700 native species
- Species at Whalers Way
- Over 60 percent
- World rocket facilities near reserves
- Whalers Way, SA's Eyre Peninsula
- Location of facility
- Southern Launch
- Operator of existing site
Why it mattersAustralia's space ambitions could speed extinctions of species already stressed by habitat loss and climate change.
AustraliaIf new spaceports proceed without strong wildlife protections, endangered Australian animals at launch sites face serious harm.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
