FAA Proposes SpaceX Fine: Musk Vows Lawsuit
Agency alleges failure to stick to licensing rules.
The FAA announced yesterday (Sept. 17) it has proposed fining SpaceX $633,000 for allegedly failing to adhere to licensing requirements. Elon Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter) that he plans to push back in court. “SpaceX will be filing suit against the FAA for regulatory overreach,” he wrote. Musk’s company is also on the FAA carpet for failing to get approvals for changes to two rocket launches last year and using an unapproved rocket propellent farm prior to a July 2023 launch.
According to a Reuters report, the FAA said SpaceX did not get approval to add a new launch control room and remove the T-2 hour readiness poll from its communications procedures related to its license to launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
FAA Chief Counsel Marc Nichols said, "Safety drives everything we do at the FAA, including a legal responsibility for the safety oversight of companies with commercial space transportation licenses. Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences."
