California Commission Rejects SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Plan at Vandenberg Over Musk's Politics

Oct 12, 2024, 06:30 PM

The California Coastal Commission has rejected SpaceX's proposal to increase Falcon 9 rocket launches from 36 to 50 per year at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The decision, made by a 6-4 vote, was influenced by concerns over SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's political activities and his posts on X (formerly Twitter). Commissioner Gretchen Newsom criticized Musk's political rhetoric, while other officials cited his support for Donald Trump and comments on transgender issues. Both the Air Force and Space Force supported the plan. This rejection has sparked a debate over the influence of personal political views on regulatory decisions and potential First Amendment violations. Musk has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the Commission, alleging a violation of his First Amendment rights.