FAA Hits SpaceX With $633,009 in Proposed Fines For Launch Violations, Musk Promises Lawsuit [Update]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a total of US$633,009 in civil penalties against SpaceX for alleged violations during two of its 2023 launches. The FAA, which oversees the safety and regulation of commercial space transportation in the US, cited failures by SpaceX to comply with required license protocols last year.

According to a press release from the FAA on Tuesday, the first incident occurred on June 18, 2023, during the PSN SATRIA mission, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX had previously submitted a request to revise its communications plan, which included the use of a new launch control room at Hangar X and the removal of a critical readiness poll conducted two hours before launch.

However, the FAA had not yet approved these revisions when SpaceX proceeded with the launch, using the unapproved launch control room and failing to conduct the necessary T-2 hour readiness poll.

For this incident, the FAA has proposed a US$350,000 fine, with US$175,000 attributed to each violation.

The second incident took place a little over a month later on July 28, 2023, during the EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SpaceX submitted a request to revise its explosive site plan due to the construction of a new rocket propellant farm. However, before receiving FAA approval, SpaceX used the unapproved propellant farm during the mission.

The FAA has proposed a US$283,009 penalty for this violation.

SpaceX has 30 days to respond to the FAA’s enforcement letters. It remains to be seen how the company will address these penalties and whether it will contest the FAA’s findings.

UPDATE 11:45am PT: Elon Musk says SpaceX will sue the FAA “for regulatory overreach.” The headline of the article has been updated to reflect this.