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Elon Musk revealed that SpaceX will file a lawsuit against the FAA, accusing the agency of regulatory overreach. This follows the FAA's announcement of over $600,000 in penalties for violations during two 2023 SpaceX launches, sparking a legal battle over launch procedures.
SpaceX to Sue FAA Over $600,000 in Penalties for Launch Violations and Regulatory Delays
Elon Musk disclosed on September 17 that his space exploration company, SpaceX, will file a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for "regulatory overreach."
The action was taken mere hours after the FAA announced that it would sanction SpaceX with over $600,000 for three violations during two launches in mid-2023.
On September 17, Teslarati reported that SpaceX's Satria-1 launch on June 18, 2023, and the XXIV/Jupiter launch in late July had violations. About the Satria-1 launch, SpaceX "suggested revisions to its procedures, such as the removal of the T-2-hour readiness poll and the addition of a new launch control room at Hangar X. "
Nevertheless, the FAA did not authorize either in time for the launch. Nonetheless, SpaceX conducted these actions, which could result in a total cost of $350,000 for both violations or $175,000 for each violation.
Concurrently, SpaceX submitted a request to the FAA in July to modify its explosive sight plan for the XXIV/Jupiter launch, which uses a newly constructed rocket propellant farm. Again, the FAA failed to respond to the mission promptly, resulting in SpaceX utilizing the new rocket propellant farm.
Musk Accuses FAA of Politically-Motivated Behavior as SpaceX Prepares Lawsuit Over Penalties
The FAA suggested a penalty of $283,009. Musk has other plans, but SpaceX has 30 days to respond. Musk verified in a post on X that SpaceX would file a lawsuit against the FAA for "regulatory overreach."
Musk explained that he was “highly confident that discovery will show improper, politically-motivated behavior by the FAA.”
In a post published last week, SpaceX announced that the fifth test flight of Starship had been postponed. The company attributed the delay to "superfluous environmental analysis" and media headlines.
It is puzzling that the FAA would bring these penalties forward more than a year after the launches when the agency must have been aware, without a doubt, that it had not authorized SpaceX to take specific measures. Musk appears to believe that it could be a form of reprisal.
