SpaceX rivals challenge Starship launch license in Florida over environmental, safety concerns

Green shrubbery and sliver of road form a low horizon below a sunny blue sky. In the distance left of center, a short white rocket stands adjacent to a black tower. Much taller, right of center, reaching to the top of the image, a steel tower with black-barred extension arms reaching out near its base.

SpaceX's plans to launch its Starship–Super Heavy two-stage rocket 44 times per year from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida have come under fire from its two main rivals: United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

The Starship vehicle is the world's largest rocket. Its two stages are SpaceX's Super Heavy booster rocket, and the upper stage spacecraft known somewhat confusingly as Starship or "Ship," on which a crew of up to 100 astronauts could someday fly.