The Reason Why Space Launches Are Affected By The Ongoing Pandemic

The worldwide pandemic has been affecting people everywhere at various levels, from entry-level workers to the most advanced scientists.

One of the main reasons why that is so is the fact that the travel restrictions, limitations, and even people getting sick impacted the industrial world, the core of our society.

Without industry, the economies of the globe are slowly beginning to crumble due to various shortages, like the lack of prime materials for manufacturing products.

One of the latest victims of the short supply due to the pandemic is the space launch industry due to a lack of oxygen.

Liquid oxygen is medically used to combat severe symptoms of COVID-19. Most people getting hospitalized due to the virus require oxygen to be pumped into their lungs, so you can see why liquid oxygen was needed in significant amounts.

However, oxygen is also used in the space industry in rocket engines.

Chilled oxygen is a mandatory propellant chemical for the “big players” like SpaceX, ULA, and Virgin Orbit.

Believe it or not, the short supply is mainly an outcome of the similarity between producing oxygen for rocket fuel and producing oxygen for COVID patients.

Richard Craig, the vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the Compressed Gas Association, stated that people are their priority.

That reasoning is very understandable, even if you are an avid space exploration fan. Unfortunately, the number of COVID cases over the summer is on the rise in numerous areas, which spells out bad news for the aerospace industry.

Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s President, directly asked conference-goers during the 36th Space Symposium to let her know if they happen to have any spare liquid oxygen.

Florida is a very important region for SpaceX, as it is the home state of the company’s launches.

Unfortunately, the same state is one of the most impacted states by the ongoing pandemic, and the chances that the situation will suddenly improve are slim.