SpaceX sues California agency over rocket launch denial, alleges political bias

[Karah Rucker]

WE TOLD YOU LAST WEEK ABOUT CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS CITING ELON MUSK’S POLITICAL POSTS WHEN THEY DENIED A SPACE-X ROCKET-LAUNCHING PROPOSAL.

NOW MUSK’S COMPANY IS TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THOSE OFFICIALS, CLAIMING POLITICAL BIAS IN A DECISION THAT COULD IMPACT ALL FUTURE ROCKET LAUNCHES FROM THE STATE’S COAST. 

SPACE-X, ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING SPACE EXPLORATION COMPANIES, IS SUING THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION AFTER THEY REJECTED AN AIR FORCE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ROCKET LAUNCHES FROM VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE. THE COMMISSION’S DECISION FOLLOWED CONCERNS NOT JUST ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, BUT ALSO ABOUT CEO ELON MUSK’S POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.

IN ITS LAWSUIT, SPACE-X ARGUES THE DECISION WAS INFLUENCED BY MUSK’S OUTSPOKEN SUPPORT OF DONALD TRUMP’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN AND HIS CONTROVERSIAL POSTS ON X. COMMISSIONERS CITED THOSE POSTS IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS, RAISING ALARMS ABOUT MUSK’S POLITICAL INFLUENCE.

THE COMMISSION WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT MUSK’S CLAIMS THAT FEDERAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING FEMA, WERE MISHANDLING RELIEF EFFORTS AFTER RECENT HURRICANES. THESE CONCERNS FACTORED INTO THEIR DECISION TO REJECT AN EXPANSION FROM 6 LAUNCHES PER YEAR TO 50, DESPITE PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS WITH THE U-S SPACE FORCE FOR LIMITED INCREASES.

BEYOND POLITICS, THERE WERE ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL WORRIES. THE COASTAL COMMISSION EMPHASIZED THE POTENTIAL HARM TO WILDLIFE AND COASTAL ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS. THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY IMPOSED STRICT CONDITIONS ON SPACEX TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF LAUNCHES.

SPACE-X ARGUES THAT THE DECISION IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND COULD HINDER THE COMPANY’S PROGRESS. MUSK EXPRESSED PLANS TO MOVE THEIR HEADQUARTERS FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS.

FOR MORE UNBIASED UPDATES AND STRAIGHT FACTS… DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M KARAH RUCKER.