The feud between SpaceX and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reached a new boiling point. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has publicly called for the resignation of FAA chief Mike Whitaker, accusing him of mismanaging the licensing process and showing favoritism towards rival company Boeing.
The tension stems from the ongoing delays in receiving approvals for SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft flights. Musk claims that the agency is overly focused on minor technicalities, holding back Starship’s launch schedule. He even pointed out that the sixth Starship vehicle will be ready for flight before the fifth one receives approval from the FAA.
The latest development follows an incident where the FAA proposed a $633,009 fine on SpaceX for using unapproved plans during previous launches with their Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX vehemently denies the allegations, arguing that the FAA’s accusations are baseless and that the agency lacks the resources to effectively oversee commercial spaceflight operations.
Musk and SpaceX have gone a step further by sending a letter to key members of Congress, alleging that the FAA’s leadership is misusing resources to target SpaceX while overlooking safety concerns at Boeing. They have accused the agency of prioritizing Boeing over SpaceX, putting human lives at risk.
The ongoing dispute highlights the growing challenges and complexities of the burgeoning commercial space industry. It remains to be seen how the FAA will respond to Musk’s demand for Whitaker’s resignation and whether this will lead to a resolution in the licensing disputes.
