TEXAS — Texas State University has a partnership with X-Bow Systems, an advanced solid rocket motor producer. Under this research agreement, a testing facility will be constructed to test X-Bow’s technology. However, this is getting some pushback from water advocates in San Marcos.
Solid rocket motor static testing, which is a performance-based test for rockets, will occur at the university’s Freeman Ranch on the outskirts of San Marcos. The testing is situated over the Edwards Aquifer, and advocates are concerned this project could contaminate drinking water.
“If there are contaminants from things like solid rocket motor testing, if it rains and those contaminants are on the ground, they’re going to go straight into the aquifer,” said Virginia Parker, the executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation.
Texas State officials say protecting the aquifer is a “top priority.” A partial statement from the university states, “All testing is conducted under carefully controlled conditions designed to prevent contamination, runoff, or environmental damage.”
Static testing will be conducted, which means the solid rocket motors aren’t launched. According to Texas State, it will be done on a specially designed concrete pad. However, Parker has concerns that wind or a failed test could cause particles to end up outside of that pad once construction is complete and testing begins.
“The mitigation plan is not 100% clear to me and doesn’t feel super protective with the risk of what is in these pellets,” Parker said.
Texas State officials say test failures are rare, but in that event, there are remediation protocols that include cleanup procedures to prevent environmental contamination. Despite these protocols, the San Marcos River Foundation is still concerned, asking the involved entities to move the testing site out of the aquifer’s zone.
“If there is a pollutant that ends up in the aquifer, that destroys the water that we have,” Parker said.