FAA Faces Lawsuit Over Handling of SpaceX Starship Program

In the lawsuit, environmental groups accuse the FAA of making environmental concessions to SpaceX.

Jack Daleo

Monday, May 01, 2023 at 06:44 PM ET

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SpaceX’s Starship rocket stands ready for launch ahead of April’s test flight. [Credit: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

Five environmental groups are suing the FAA for inadequately approving SpaceX's Starship launch, claiming the agency failed to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The lawsuit alleges the FAA instead relied on a less stringent assessment by SpaceX, which led to significant environmental damage during the inaugural test flight.
If successful, the lawsuit could compel the FAA to complete a comprehensive EIS, potentially delaying future Starship launches for many months, in addition to ongoing investigations and repair work.

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Last month, SpaceX’s Starship rocket—the largest ever constructed—engulfed the company’s Boca Chica, Texas, launch pad in flames en route to its inaugural test flight. Now, the FAA, which signed off on the launch the weekend prior, is also under fire.

Figuratively, that is. On Monday, five environmental groups sued the FAA over its handling of the Starship launch, accusing the agency of making concessions to SpaceX that contributed to the test flight’s impact on surrounding areas.