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:

SpaceX's Starship rocket caused significant damage to its launch pad and surrounding areas during its inaugural test flight.
Five environmental groups are suing the FAA, accusing the agency of improperly waiving a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in favor of a less rigorous assessment for SpaceX's launch.
The lawsuit alleges that the FAA's decision led to preventable environmental harm and failed to consider alternatives to SpaceX's plans.
Should the lawsuit succeed, requiring an EIS would significantly delay future Starship launches, adding to existing setbacks from launch pad repairs and an ongoing FAA investigation.

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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.