Elon Musk Threatens Legal Action Over SpaceX Launch Rejection

Elon Musk has declared his intention to pursue legal action after California officials reportedly considered his political views in denying SpaceX's request for more frequent rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the state's central coast.

California Coastal Commission's Decision

The California Coastal Commission voted 6-4 against the US Space Force's proposal to increase SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launches from 36 to 50 per year. During the meeting, Commissioner Gretchen Newsom raised concerns about Musk's political statements and working conditions at SpaceX.

Issues Raised

Newsom criticized Musk for his political commentary and accused him of prioritizing profit over employee welfare and environmental concerns. Commission Chair Caryl Hart acknowledged the political nature of the matter due to government involvement.

Musk's Response

In response to the commissioners' comments, Musk denounced the discussion as inappropriate and vowed to take legal action for alleged First Amendment violations. He rejected the connection between his social media posts and the commission's decision.

Commission's Stance

The commission disputed SpaceX's classification of the launches as federal activities, insisting that the company should apply for a Coastal Development Permit due to its private entity status. Concerns were also raised about environmental impacts from the rocket launches, including sonic booms.

Military's Commitment

Despite the rejection, Dr. Ravi Chaudhary from the Air Force affirmed their dedication to environmental protection and collaboration on addressing local concerns. The commission praised the military's collaboration on environmental issues.

Business Insider has reached out to both the California Coastal Commission and SpaceX for their responses.

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By: rrommen@insider.com (Rebecca Rommen,Nathan Rennolds)
Title: Elon Musk Threatens Legal Action Over SpaceX Launch Rejection
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-launches-california-coastal-commission-2024-10
Published Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:47:14 +0000