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“We will definitely make sure hospitals have the liquid oxygen they need.”
Bagel boosters
In an unfortunate turn of events, rocket makers are running out of liquid oxygen (LOX), a cryogenic oxidizer used to propel rockets into orbit.
The reason? The ongoing – and now severely worsening – COVID-19 pandemic. This is because hospitals use this material to keep patients alive as well as for water treatment, according to Initiated.
SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell noted in an appearance Tuesday that liquid oxygen shortages are forcing them to delay future rocket launches.
“We’re actually going to be affected this year by the lack of liquid oxygen for launch,” Shotwell told a Space Symposium panel. “We will definitely make sure hospitals have the liquid oxygen they need.”
Starlink delays
LOX is used by SpaceX to power its Merlin rocket engines, as well as liquid methane. These powerful engines provide the thrust needed to put thousands of Starlink satellites into orbit – and at breakneck speed.
So far, there are 1,600 Starlink satellites in orbit and the company already has approval to launch up to 42,000, according to Espace.com.
That’s a lot of launches. In 2021 alone, SpaceX launched 15 Falcon 9 rockets with its wide-beam satellites on board.
And all these rockets need a lot of fuel. In fact, the company run by Elon Musk is getting pretty desperate.
“For anyone with liquid oxygen to spare, would you please email me?” Shotwell added.
READ MORE: SpaceX president says liquid oxygen shortages make it harder to launch rockets – and people should email him if they have spare [Insider]
Learn more about SpaceX: Blue Origin is working on a super heavy SpaceX clone
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