SpaceX said on Thursday that it “forcefully rejects” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s contention it failed to follow license requirements and did not get approval for changes before two launches in 2023.
The FAA this week proposed to fine Space X $633,000 over the alleged violations of regulations during two launches in 2023.
According to FAA SpaceX on June 18, 2023, used an unapproved launch control room for the PSN Satria mission and did not conduct the required hour poll. On July 28, 2023, the agency used an unapproved rocket propellant farm for the EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter mission.
“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 Nichol said. “Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences.”
The proposed fine drew the ire of SpaceX’s founder Elon Musk, who threatened legal action against the agency.
SpaceX said in a letter to Congress released Thursday that the FAA was failing to “keep pace with the commercial spaceflight industry” and suggested the fine may be tied to increased scrutiny from Congress of the FAA space oversight. SpaceX added it has been clear for some time the FAA’s commercial space office “lacks the resources to timely review licensing materials, but also focuses its limited resources on areas unrelated to public safety.”
