The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alleges that SpaceX committed three safety violations by failing to comply with license requirements for two space launches in 2023. If the full fine is assessed, SpaceX could be on the hook for $633,009, according to an FAA statement.
The license violations relate to two separate SpaceX launches. The first two occurred on June 18, 2023, as part of the PSN Satria mission, which launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The second violation occurred on July 28, 2023, in connection with plans for the EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter mission.
In both cases, SpaceX requested amendments to portions of its communications plan and explosive ordnance disposal facility plan, respectively, and, according to letters written by the FAA, SpaceX allegedly went ahead with the revised plans even though the FAA never approved or issued the license amendments.
In May 2023, SpaceX Addition of new launch control room and elimination of T-2 readiness survey There was a change in procedures for the June 18, 2023 launch. On June 15 and 16, the FAA notified SpaceX that it would not approve SpaceX’s license changes before the scheduled June 18 launch, but the launch took place in an unauthorized control room and without T-2 time polling. Two months later, SpaceX Newly constructed rocket propellant farm It was scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 28, 2023. Again, the FAA did not approve the modifications, but the farm was used for the scheduled launch.
SpaceX faces two fines of $175,000 for the June 18 violation and a fine of $293,009 for the July 28 violation. SpaceX must respond to the charges in writing within 30 days. The company can choose to hold an informal conference with FAA lawyers or submit additional information to the FAA to make its case. A full list of the FAA’s penalty enforcement procedures can be found on the FAA’s website.
Still, SpaceX CEO and self-described “Tesla tech mogul” Elon Musk has been vocal about how he plans to deal with the FAA’s proposed fines. “SpaceX will be suing the FAA for regulatory overreach,” Musk wrote on Twitter.
