--- title: "SpaceX Doesn’t Have Enough Rocket Fuel Because COVID Patients Need It to Breathe" description: "Rocket companies are out of liquid oxygen, a cryogenic oxidizer used to propel rockets into orbit, because hospitals need it to treat COVID patients." date: "2021-08-25" modified: "2021-08-26" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-lox-covid" categories: - "Space" - "SpaceX" tags: - "covid19" - "rocket fuel" - "SpaceX" - "starlink" - "the digest" --- # SpaceX Doesn’t Have Enough Rocket Fuel Because COVID Patients Need It to Breathe ![Rocket companies are out of liquid oxygen, a cryogenic oxidizer used to propel rockets into orbit, because hospitals need it to treat COVID patients.]() *\Image: NASA\* ## Bagel Boosters In an unfortunate turn of events, rocket companies are running low on liquid oxygen (LOX), a cryogenic oxidizer used to propel rockets into orbit. The reason? The ongoing — and [now severely worsening]() — COVID-19 pandemic. That's because hospitals are using the stuff to keep patients alive as well as for water treatment, [according to *Insider*](). SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell noted during an appearance on Tuesday that liquid oxygen shortages were forcing them to delay upcoming rocket launches. "We're actually going to be impacted this year with the lack of liquid oxygen for launch," Shotwell [said during a Space Symposium panel](). "We certainly are going to make sure hospitals have the liquid oxygen they need." ## Starlink Delays LOX is used by SpaceX to power its Merlin rocket engines, along with RP-1. Those powerful engines provide the thrust to get thousands of Starlink satellites into orbit — and at a breakneck pace. So far, there are 1,600 Starlink satellites in orbit and the company already has authorization to launch up to 42,000, according to [*Space.com*](). That's a lot of launches. In 2021 alone, SpaceX has launched 15 Falcon 9 rockets with its broadband-beaming satellites on board. And all of those rockets need a lot of fuel. In fact, the Elon Musk-led company is getting pretty desperate. "For anybody that has liquid oxygen to spare, would you send me an email?" Shotwell added. *Update: An earlier version of this story misstated the type of rocket fuel that SpaceX's Merlin engines use alongside LOX. It has been updated.* **READ MORE:** [SpaceX's president says liquid oxygen shortages are making it harder to launch rockets — and that people should email her if they have any spare]() \[*Insider*\] **More on SpaceX:** *[Blue Origin Is Working on a SpaceX Super Heavy Clone]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()