SpaceX

FAA fines SpaceX, founder threatens lawsuit for license delays

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a fine against SpaceX. On the other hand,  the company founder has announced filing a lawsuit against the agency for delaying its new missions.

FAA could imply $633,009 in civil penalties against the space rocket maker for allegedly not following license requirements for two missions from 2023 including one in May and the second in July.

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“In May 2023, SpaceX submitted a request to revise its communications plan related to its license to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The proposed revisions included adding a new launch control room at Hangar X and removing the T-2 hour readiness poll from its procedures. On June 18, 2023, SpaceX used the unapproved launch control room for the PSN SATRIA mission and did not conduct the required T-2 hour poll. The FAA is proposing $350,000 in civil penalties ($175,000 for each alleged violation).

In July 2023, SpaceX submitted a request to revise its explosive site plan related to its license to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The proposed revision reflected a newly constructed rocket propellant farm. On July 28, 2023, SpaceX used the unapproved rocket propellant farm for the EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter mission. The FAA is proposing a $283,009 civil penalty.”

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The agency wrote that SpaceX has 30 days to respond after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letters.

Founder to file a lawsuit

SpaceX founder, Elon Musk reacted to this news and said his company would be filing a suit against the FAA for regulatory overreach.

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This friction between the two sides has increased with the delays in Starship test licenses. This is an ambitious project for SpaceX as it could send a larger payload to orbit, the moon, and beyond.

SpaceX has criticized the agency more openly recently in a press release and confirmed that the agency has pushed the test to November, which was originally planned for September.

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Meanwhile, the FAA said that the delay is related to the changes made by SpaceX in the launch license approval application.

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