SpaceX has been fined $633,009 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for licensing violations related to two separate launches in 2023. The penalty comes amid growing tension between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and the FAA, with Musk accusing the agency of focusing on minor issues instead of addressing critical safety concerns involving other companies.
The FAA stated that SpaceX used an unauthorized launch control room during the PSN SATRIA mission in June 2023. FAA Chief Counsel Marc Nichols emphasized the importance of compliance with safety requirements, noting that failure to do so “will result in consequences.”
Musk, however, responded with sharp criticism. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he accused the FAA of neglecting significant safety issues at Boeing, whose recent Starliner mission left astronauts stranded at the International Space Station (ISS). “This is deeply wrong and puts human lives at risk,” Musk wrote, highlighting that NASA turned to SpaceX for astronaut rescue after deeming Boeing’s capsule unsafe for return.
The controversy also revives discussions around a previous fine of $175,000 against SpaceX in 2023 for failing to submit required safety information for a Starlink launch. Musk’s frustration boiled over as he accused the FAA of distracting from national priorities and stifling innovation in the U.S. space industry.
While SpaceX has denied the FAA’s latest allegations, the incident highlights ongoing concerns about regulatory oversight in the rapidly expanding space sector.
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