SpaceX says liquid oxygen shortage due to COVID-19 delaying rocket launch

[Still Waters]

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell warned earlier this week that liquid oxygen issues were making it even challenging to launch rockets and that anybody with extra should email her.

Most launch providers, heavy industries, and municipal water systems rely on liquid oxygen (LOX), Click Orlando said. Rockets like United Launch Alliance's Atlas V and SpaceX's Falcon 9 combine supercooled oxygen with rocket-grade fuel to create the power required for liftoff.

LOX is also needed in hospitals to treat COVID-19-infected patients and for water purification, and supplies are running limited. Space News said the city of Orlando requested people to reduce their water consumption on Friday so that more liquid oxygen might be diverted to hospitals.

https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/33065/20210825/spacex-says-liquid-oxygen-shortage-due-to-covid-19-delaying-rocket-launch.htm