SpaceX set to join FAA to fight environmental lawsuit over Starship
SpaceX is joining the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a co-defendant in a lawsuit brought by environmental groups following the company’s first test flight of the Starship rocket. The flight saw an in-flight explosion, and the plaintiffs allege that the FAA should have undertaken a more extensive environmental impact study before allowing the launch, based on the significant adverse effects to endangered species, their habitats, and tribes in the region, which consider the land sacred. In filing the “motion” to federal judge Carl Nichols, SpaceX made clear the potential implications on its business, finances, and “substantial national interest” and possible scientific benefits for the Starship if the environmentalists win the lawsuit. The suit seeks an environmental impact statement, which could see SpaceX’s Starship work in Texas sidelined for years. SpaceX’s CFO submitted a declaration alongside the motion, outlining the extent of disruptions the company could face. SpaceX has invested more than $3bn in developing Starbase and the Starship system since July 2014. The FAA has not commented on the litigation’s ongoing issues.
FAQs
What is the lawsuit against SpaceX?
Environmental groups filed a lawsuit in California arguing that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should have conducted an environmental impact study before allowing SpaceX to launch its Starship rocket from its Texas-based Starbase facility. The lawsuit alleges that the FAA did not undertake an extensive enough environmental impact study before allowing the launch, based on the significant adverse effects to endangered species, their habitats, and the tribes in the region, which consider the land sacred. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking an environmental impact statement, which could see SpaceX’s Starship work in Texas sidelined for years.
What has SpaceX argued regarding joining the lawsuit?
SpaceX has requested that it be allowed to join the FAA as a co-defendant in the lawsuit. In its motion, the company has made clear the potential implications on its business, finances, and “substantial national interest” and possible scientific benefits for the Starship if the environmentalists win the lawsuit. With the FAA being a government agency, SpaceX has argued that the FAA does not entirely represent the company’s interests in the litigation.
What could be the consequences for SpaceX if it loses the lawsuit?
The lawsuit, which seeks an environmental impact study, could sideline SpaceX’s Starship work in Texas for years. In submitting a declaration alongside the lawsuit, SpaceX’s CFO made clear the potential implications on the company if it lost the case, including possible substantial reductions in investment in its Starbase facility, which would harm its interests, as well as local employees and communities. Additionally, SpaceX currently has a significant NASA contract with the rocket worth up to $4.2bn, has signed commercial customer contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and is crucial to the future of the company’s Starlink satellite internet business, which has over 1.5 million customers.
FAA partners with SpaceX to counter environmental lawsuit regarding Starship
SpaceX is joining the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to defend against a lawsuit brought by environmental groups regarding the company’s Starship rocket launch. The plaintiffs argue that the FAA should have conducted a more detailed environmental impact study before the launch of the world’s largest rocket from SpaceX’s Starbase facility citing the potential adverse effects on endangered species and tribes in the area that have cultural links to the land. SpaceX has requested to join the FAA as a co-defendant in the lawsuit, saying that its permit is at risk. If successful, the lawsuit could require an environmental impact statement which could delay SpaceX’s plans to develop Starship and further their business interests. SpaceX has invested over $3 billion into the Starship facility and system since 2014 and expects to spend $2 billion this year alone on its development. SpaceX has an upcoming commercial contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars for the Starship, as well as a $4.2 billion NASA contract to land astronauts on the moon. Losing the lawsuit could result in a substantial reduction in investment in the Starbase facility and harm local employees and communities.