Mexico’s president is weighing legal action after SpaceX rocket debris from a June explosion fell onto beaches in Tamaulipas, prompting reports of marine die-offs and accusations of environmental damage.

Simon Romero reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Debris from a failed SpaceX Starship test in South Texas scattered across northern Mexico, including beaches near Matamoros, sparking health and environmental concerns.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country is reviewing legal options and investigating whether SpaceX violated international law or safety protocols.

Activists and scientists in Tamaulipas report a die-off of dolphins, fish and sea turtles following the incident, while SpaceX claims the materials pose no chemical or biological risk.

Key quote:

“How much longer will the greed of a few be allowed to marginalize the many and put life and our planet at risk or in peril of destruction?”

— María Elena Álvarez-Buylla Roces, professor of molecular genetics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico

Why this matters:

Rocket launches come with risks beyond the launchpad. When accidents happen near borders or coastlines, the fallout — literal and political — can stretch far. The SpaceX debris now washing up on Mexican shores raises questions about corporate accountability, international regulation, and the environmental cost of rapid aerospace development. Marine die-offs following the explosion hint at toxic impacts, even as the company insists there’s no danger. For communities near SpaceX’s Starbase, the balance between innovation and safety is becoming more urgent. As launch frequency increases under U.S. approval, border communities in Mexico may find themselves bearing the environmental costs of a billionaire’s race to space — with little say in the matter.

Learn more: Trump moves to end federal studies on rocket and satellite pollution, raising concerns over Musk’s influence