Introduction
1. What is your name?
Name
(Required)
David Webb
Spaceport-1 ACP Stage 3 Consultation
4. Are you responding as an individual or do you represent an organisation? (Please select one)
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(Required)
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Individual
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Organisation
7. Do you support the airspace change? Please range your response (Please select only one)
Range your response to the airspace design
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(Required)
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Strongly Support
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Support
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Neutral
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Object
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Strongly Object
9. If you oppose this proposal, please explain why
If you oppose this proposal, please explain why
I am particularly concerned about the growing problems associated with the militarisation of space and the overcrowding of space objects in Low Earth Orbit. Space has become essential for the US and UK military and the US has a stated aim of dominating the space environment. This space port is more than likely to become involved in launching military satellites associated with this aim and therefore contributing to what is effectively an arms race in outer space. In addition, launches of rockets have been shown to have detrimental effects on areas surrounding the launch sites and on the upper atmosphere, in particular on the ozone layer. There are also negative environmental effects on the atmosphere due to satellites burning up on re-entry at the end of their lifetime.
10. While ensuring SP-1 has the necessary airspace to safely enable sub-orbital rocket launch the Sponsor is keen to minimise the impact on other airspace users. Can you suggest any mitigation or alterations that would resolve your opposition whilst achieving this?
Can you suggest any mitigation or alterations that would resolve your opposition whilst achieving this?
No satellites with a military purpose should be launched.
Any launches should not be made until sufficient scientific measurement have been made that allow realistic estimates of the environmental damage due to launches on the ground and upper atmosphere can be made.
Any satellites launched should include an end of life plan that removes them from orbit without involving re-entry and burn-up through the Earth's atmosphere.
Any launches should not be made until sufficient scientific measurement have been made that allow realistic estimates of the environmental damage due to launches on the ground and upper atmosphere can be made.
Any satellites launched should include an end of life plan that removes them from orbit without involving re-entry and burn-up through the Earth's atmosphere.