FAA Proposes SpaceX Fine, Musk Vows Lawsuit
Agency alleges a failure to stick to licensing rules.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the company would fight the proposed FAA fines in court. [Credit: Pixabay]
The FAA announced Tuesday it has proposed fining SpaceX $633,000 for allegedly failing to adhere to licensing requirements.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responded on social media platform X that he plans to push back in court.
“SpaceX will be filing suit against the FAA for regulatory overreach,” Musk wrote.
Musk’s company is also under FAA scrutiny 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 receive 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.
"Safety drives everything we do at the FAA, including a legal responsibility for the safety oversight of companies with commercial space transportation licenses," FAA chief counsel Marc Nichols said. "Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences."
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!
Get the latest FLYING stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox