FAA Chief Emphasizes SpaceX Must Operate at ‘Highest Level of Safety’ – Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON – The head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emphasized on Tuesday that Elon Musk’s SpaceX must adhere to the “highest level of safety.” This statement came as part of a defense for a proposed fine of $633,000 against the company for breaching agency regulations prior to two launches in 2023.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated at a U.S. House hearing, “They’ve been around 20 years, and I think they need to operate at the highest level of safety. This includes adopting a safety management system program and establishing a whistleblower program.” He referred to SpaceX’s last year launches in Cape Canaveral, Florida, noting that the company “launched without a permit.” He added, “It’s the only tool we have to ensure compliance on safety matters.”

SpaceX responded robustly to Whitaker’s remarks, declaring that “every statement he made was incorrect.” The FAA did not offer further comments in response. The company asserted, “SpaceX is the safest, most reliable launch provider in the world and is absolutely committed to safety in all operations.”

The FAA identified SpaceX’s violations as including a failure to secure approval for changes to its communications plan related to the license for a June 2023 launch involving an Indonesian telecommunications satellite.

Whitaker also addressed the postponement of the upcoming Starship 5 launch, citing SpaceX’s failure to conduct a timely sonic boom analysis. The FAA mentioned that it expects no decision on the license until late November.

“The Starship launch delay resulted from SpaceX filing an application while failing to disclose violations of Texas and federal law, which is necessary for obtaining a permit,” he stated. When asked about expediting the launch, Whitaker reiterated, “Complying with the regulations would be the best path.”

In a recent criticism of FAA leaders, Musk expressed concern over the agency’s proposed fine, arguing that it penalized SpaceX for minor issues unrelated to safety, while overlooking significant safety matters at Boeing. He added, “This is deeply wrong and puts human lives at risk.”

Whitaker told reporters that he had not seen Musk’s comments and did not confirm if he had communicated with him. However, he affirmed that space companies should be treated equally concerning oversight. “I believe Boeing and SpaceX should have the same oversight. They should all implement safety management systems and whistleblower programs,” he stated. Boeing already has these systems in place.

Musk has long voiced frustrations with perceived government inefficiencies and has had ongoing disputes with federal regulators. SpaceX is required to obtain FAA approvals for rocket launches and new technology.

Whitaker described SpaceX’s July 2023 launch as noncompliant with necessary requirements, lacking a required permit and not completing a risk analysis prior to the launch.

SpaceX maintained on Tuesday that it was “fully licensed to conduct these Falcon launches” and denied any infringement of Texas law, asserting, “SpaceX rejects any allegations from the FAA that it violated any laws.”

Earlier this year, in February, the FAA proposed a civil penalty of $175,000 against SpaceX for not submitting certain safety data before an August 2022 launch of Starlink satellites, a penalty which the company paid.