SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission, alleging political bias in the agency’s decision to block an increase in rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The company claims the rejection stems from Elon Musk’s political statements, including his support for Donald Trump, rather than environmental concerns.
The commission voted to deny SpaceX’s request to increase rocket launches from six to 50 per year, citing both environmental impacts and Musk’s controversial involvement in the U.S. presidential race.
Commissioners expressed concerns over Musk’s social media posts, calling them overly political.
The commission also emphasized the need to protect local wildlife and maintain coastal access. SpaceX alleges that political motivations, not environmental factors, are the primary reason for the rejection, prompting the company to take legal action.
The lawsuit highlights broader tensions between SpaceX’s growing operations, regulatory oversight, and Musk’s increasingly public political stance. For now, the fate of SpaceX’s rocket launches in California remains uncertain as the legal battle unfolds.
