SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission, accusing the regulatory body of political bias after it voted against allowing the company to increase its number of rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the state’s central coast.
Legitimate environmental concerns
The lawsuit, filed on October 16, 2024, claims that the commission’s decision was influenced by Musk’s political statements on his social media platform, X, and not by legitimate environmental concerns, which the commission is mandated to assess.
The dispute centres around a proposal from the US Space Force in September 2024 to raise SpaceX’s annual rocket launches at Vandenberg from 36 to 50.
The increase was meant to support both commercial satellite launches and missions for NASA.
However, during an October 10 meeting, the California Coastal Commission voted six to four against the plan, citing concerns allegedly unrelated to the coastal environment.
SpaceX’s lawsuit contends that several commissioners referenced Musk’s political activities and SpaceX’s business practices during the meeting, deviating from the commission’s core responsibilities.
The company cites Commissioner Mike Wilson’s alleged comments on Musk’s control of the Starlink satellite network and his public remarks on political issues, including statements about national political figures and misinformation around Hurricane Helene.
Controversial political views
SpaceX argues that the commission’s opposition to the launch increase was motivated by Musk’s controversial political views rather than legitimate regulatory concerns.
The company also maintains that the launches are federally regulated and not subject to state approval. The lawsuit seeks a court ruling to clarify the commission’s authority, alongside a request for monetary damages.
The California Coastal Commission has declined to comment on the lawsuit. The case is seen as a significant clash between state regulators and a high-profile private company with substantial federal contracts.