COVID-19 Provokes Liquid Oxygen Shortages Delaying Space X Launch Plans
As the COVID-19 cases increase across the globe as a result of the Delta variant, liquid oxygen (LOX), which hospitals employ to treat patients, remains in short supply. LOX is getting hard to find as demand increases, and COVID-19 patients might not be the only ones impacted.
Undoubtedly, upcoming launches could be influenced, as SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell explained during the 36th yearly Space Symposium on Tuesday, August 24. Several launch companies count on LOX to get rockets off the ground, given its function as an oxidizer in union with fuels such as liquid hydrogen, methane, and kerosene. This is why acquiring supplies of liquid oxygen is at the moment among one of the most crucial supply chain issues.
Shotwell mentioned that SpaceX would be affected this year by the shortage of liquid oxygen for launch. Shotwell added that SpaceX would ensure the hospitals are going to have the oxygen that they require. However, for anyone with liquid oxygen to spare, that person would be free to send her an email.
Shotwell did not clarify the possible impact of the LOX shortage on SpaceX’s upcoming launch calendar. However, the LOX is not the only shortage that’s impacting the company. SpaceX has currently placed Starlink internet satellite launches on hold, considering its last launch was on June 30, an uncommonly long break for the company. According to Shotwell, the global microchip shortage postponed the new user terminals for the company’s Starlink satellite, yet she expects the next Starlink launch to occur in approximately three weeks.
The LOX shortage is also affecting other companies. Tory Bruno, CEO of United Launch Alliance, explained in a tweet following the conference that the federal contractor that supplies nitrogen for the company’s launch centers at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California is currently attempting to deal with the liquid oxygen shortage in Florida.
On the other hand, in Florida, on August 20, the Orlando Utilities Commission revealed a 50% decrease in the weekly shipment of liquid oxygen utilized in water filtration systems. Officials advised residents and companies to conserve water to avoid water shortages triggered by the city’s purification systems’ limited capacity.
Originally published on Interestingengineering.com. Read the original article.
