FAA Proposes $633,009 Fine Against SpaceX for 2023 Falcon 9 Launch Violations

Sep 17, 2024, 05:09 PM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed $633,009 in civil penalties against SpaceX for allegedly failing to follow its license requirements during two Falcon 9 launches in 2023. The violations include the use of an unapproved launch control room and the omission of a T-2 hour readiness poll during a June 18, 2023, launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida, as well as the use of an unapproved rocket propellant farm during a July 28, 2023, launch. These penalties are in accordance with statutorily-set civil penalty guidelines. In response, Elon Musk has announced that SpaceX will be filing a lawsuit against the FAA for regulatory overreach.