SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission, accusing its members of political bias after rejecting the aerospace company’s request for more rocket launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The commission denied SpaceX’s request to launch up to 50 Falcon 9 rockets per year at Vandenberg, an increase from the current 36 launches permitted.
The big picture: SpaceX argued that the commission exceeded its authority by punishing the company based on the political views and statements of CEO Elon Musk.
- SpaceX, a US government contractor, provides launch services for the Pentagon, leading some military officials to argue that its launches should be considered federal agency activities.
- Musk criticized the commission’s decision calling for their resignation and accusing them of breaking the law.
- The lawsuit aims to prohibit the commission from regulating SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches.
