Texas State University has entered into an agreement with a defense technology company that allows for solid rocket motor testing at Freeman Ranch, which has struck a chord with local water activists fearing that chemicals will seep into the karst features of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and contaminate the groundwater.
According to Jayme Blaschke, a spokesperson for Texas State University, TXST has entered into a cooperative research agreement with X-Bow that allows for static fire testing of advanced solid rocket motors at Freeman Ranch, in which the rocket motor remains secured in place and will not launch. The test fires will occur once every three months with each fire lasting between 20-30 seconds.
“San Marcos and the Texas Hill Country are our home. Protecting this land, and especially the Edwards Aquifer is a top priority for Texas State University. Environmental stewardship is central to our mission, and Freeman Ranch supports important research in water management, sustainability, agriculture and ecology,” Blaschke said.
“All testing is conducted under controlled conditions with strict safeguards in place to prevent contamination or runoff. The project follows comprehensive remediation protocols, including containment procedures, cleanup standards, and environmental assessments,” according to Blaschke.
The San Marcos River Foundation in partnership with The Save Our Springs Alliance has released a petition that one can sign to try to get TXST to move the test site of solid rocket motors away from the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. The Instagram post states that the testing on Freeman Ranch, which is located entirely over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, will threaten “contamination into the same aquifer that supplies drinking water to 2.5 million Texans and feeds the beloved Spring Lake and San Marcos River.”
The post states that the chemicals in the fuel pellets “can persist for centuries,” which include Ammonium Perchlorate and Aluminum Oxide, and can be “thrown if something malfunctions.”
‘“Because of the karst limestone geology of the recharge zone, stormwater moves quickly through fractures straight into the aquifer,” the SMRF post states. “If contamination occurs, there is no practical way to undo it.”
Virginia Parker, SMRF Executive Director, in a separate post, made a call to action, encouraging the community to sign the petition.
“If you’re a water lover and you came out in droves last night to oppose the data center, I am calling on you,” she said. “This is code red. This is our water quality.”
Blaschke said X-Bow has obtained all required permits and complies with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulations and all other applicable standards.
“The solid rocket motor materials used are industry standard and tightly regulated. All testing is conducted under carefully controlled conditions designed to prevent contamination, runoff or environmental damage,” Blaschke said. “Water used in testing, including quench water, is collected, treated as required, and disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations.”
Blaschke said both partners will also comply with all wildlife protections, including protocols for the Golden-cheeked Warbler nesting season.
Blaschke said testing is conducted under controlled conditions with strict containment and remediation protocols for the “rare” occurrence of test anomaly or failure.
“These include cleanup procedures and environmental impact assessments to ensure full regulatory compliance,” Blaschke said. “Water and materials used during testing are handled in accordance with environmental standards to prevent contamination.”
Additional information on the partnership with TXST and X-Bow can be found at news.txst.edu/university-statements/context-clarification/2026/x-bow-agreement and the petition can be found at tinyurl.com/signSMRFpetition.
