The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a fine of $633,000 against SpaceX for allegedly failing to comply with safety regulations during two rocket launches in Florida in 2023.
According to the FAA, SpaceX used unapproved facilities for both launches, violating licensing requirements.
In the first incident, which occurred in June 2023, SpaceX launched a satellite using an unapproved control room and did not conduct the necessary readiness poll two hours prior to launch. The second violation, in July 2023, involved SpaceX using an unapproved rocket propellant facility for another satellite launch.
The FAA emphasized that safety is at the core of its oversight of commercial space activities, with Marc Nichols, FAA Chief Counsel, stating, “Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences.”
SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, has 30 days to respond to the proposed penalties. Musk criticized the FAA’s decision, referring to it as “more lawfare” and threatening to sue the agency for what he described as regulatory overreach.
Forbes, Fortune, Axios, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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