SpaceX may soon face a massive $630,000 fine to pay for violations in two missions, which the US Federal Aviation Authority revealed earlier today. It was revealed by the governing body that there were three safety violations that SpaceX pulled off last year, and these were on separate missions.
The FAA has proposed these violations for now, and this is in line with the agency's safety standards for spaceflights.
SpaceX to Face Possible $630k Fine for Launch Violations
According to the latest statement released by the FAA, it found two missions where SpaceX committed launch violations as it "allegedly" failed to follow launch requirements. This stems from its two 2023 missions where it was not able to comply with safety requirements, now resulting in a $633,009 in civil penalties.
The FAA revealed that this amount was set following the statutorily set civil penalty guidelines.
SpaceX committed a total of three violations in 2023.
According to the FAA, SpaceX has 30 days to respond to the agency regarding the latest letters sent to them.
Read Also: SpaceX Polaris Dawn Delayed: Falcon 9 Grounded by FAA After Recent Explosion
SpaceX's Alleged Violations in 2023 said the FAA
The first violation center was on June 18, 2023, where it submitted a request to revise communication plans for the PSN SATRIA mission.
However, SpaceX went on to use the unapproved launch control room for the mission and failed to observe the required T-2 hour poll. These two violations were each proposed with $175,000 each, with the FAA's proposed fines set at $350,000 in civil penalties.
Next, there is July 2023's EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter mission, where SpaceX yet again submitted a request to revise the explosive site plan in Florida's Kennedy Space Center. This centers on the new rocket propellant farm on site.
However, SpaceX used the unapproved rocket propellant, now set with a $283,009 civil penalty.
SpaceX and its FAA Scrutiny
Elon Musk's SpaceX has long operated in the industry, but it was not until the better part of the 2010s decade that it was able to proceed with its missions with approval from the FAA. However, it saw several run-ins with the FAA over the years, particularly with its experimental Starship, with the company receiving warnings from the authorities.
Before the actual test flights of the fully-stacked Starship, it was known for facing a massive delay as it did not have the proper launch license it needed from the FAA. This was famous because of the environmental lawsuit against SpaceX, which the company sought to dismiss, denying the allegations that its launches could damage the wildlife and ecosystem around the proximity of Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.
Most recently, SpaceX's Falcon 9 resulted in a mishap that led to it being grounded by the FAA, delaying the company's Starlink satellite delivery missions, as well as the Polaris Dawn mission.
Despite that being out of the way, a review by the FAA from 2023 yet again brought a problem to the private space company's doorsteps, but this time, it is facing massive fines. SpaceX is given 30 days to respond to the FAA regarding the matter.
Related Article: SpaceX Is Planning an Ambitious November Starship Test Flight, but FAA Grounded It for Now
