 Rocket Tests Threaten 1.5M Birds at Johnston Atoll

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The U.S. military is studying the possibility of launching rockets for the rapid delivery of cargo anywhere on Earth.

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One potential landing site for these rockets is located within a designated sanctuary for protected seabirds in the Pacific.

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Environmentalists and biologists assert that the blast of a rocket lander would severely affect populations of fragile seabirds.

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The proposed site includes breeding grounds for rare and endangered bird species.

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Noise, vibration, and pollution from rocket activities would affect nesting birds and cause damage to the entire ecosystem.

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The sanctuary has been preserved for several decades due to its unique biodiversity and ecological importance.

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Conservation groups are asking the military to consider other sites that would not pose a threat to wildlife.

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The United States Space Force acknowledges there are concerns but continues to maintain that environmental reviews are underway.

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Critics claim that military logistics should not trump the protection of natural habitats.

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Previous military activities in the Pacific had been environmentally damaging, prompting caution.

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Local communities and indigenous groups oppose the rocket cargo plan.

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The argument unveils a deepening conflict between technological ambition and environmental stewardship.

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