Elon Musk’s SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against California’s Coastal Commission, accusing the agency of political bias for rejecting the company’s proposal to increase the number of rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. SpaceX claims the commission’s decision was influenced by Musk’s political views and not environmental concerns, as the agency cited Musk’s controversial statements on his social platform, X (formerly Twitter).
The legal action, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, seeks to prevent the commission from regulating the company’s Falcon 9 rocket launch program at the base, which is located in Santa Barbara County. SpaceX alleges that the commission overstepped its authority by basing its decision on Musk’s political statements, violating the company’s free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit argues that the agency’s interference is an "unconstitutional overreach" that disrupts federal interests and national security, noting that the launches have had no significant impact on coastal resources.
At a commission meeting on October 10, Commissioner Gretchen Newsom voiced concerns about Musk’s political activities, stating, "Elon Musk is spreading political falsehoods and attacking FEMA while claiming to help hurricane victims through his Starlink internet service." Despite SpaceX's argument that commercial space launches do not fall under state jurisdiction, the commission voted 6-4 against the proposal, requiring the company to adhere to California’s coastal development permit process.
SpaceX, which has launched Falcon 9 rockets from the base since 2013, completed 28 launches last year and aimed to increase that number to 50 annually. The U.S. Air Force, supporting the expansion, stated that the proposal met all environmental requirements, including measures to minimize sonic booms and ensure biological monitoring. Despite this, the commission denied the request, sparking the legal challenge from SpaceX.
The lawsuit reflects ongoing tensions between Musk’s growing political involvement and regulatory agencies. Musk, who has shifted to support conservative politics, has become a major donor for Donald Trump and has expressed interest in a role within a potential Trump administration. Meanwhile, California remains a stronghold for Democratic leadership, including Vice President Kamala Harris, fueling speculation that political factors may have influenced the commission’s decision.
Neither the Coastal Commission nor SpaceX representatives have provided further comments on the case.
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