Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, has taken legal action against the California Coastal Commission after the regulatory body voted to block a proposal that would have allowed the company to increase the number of annual rockets launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
SpaceX’s lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, claims the commission overstepped its authority and that the decision to deny the request was rooted in political discrimination, particularly citing comments made by Musk on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). The case underscores the growing controversy surrounding Musk’s public persona and its potential effects on his business ventures.
The Dispute: Launch Increase Blocked by California Coastal Commission
At the center of the lawsuit is SpaceX’s request to expand its operations on California’s central coast. The U.S. Space Force had proposed that SpaceX increase its annual launches from 36 to 50 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, a coastal military installation near Santa Barbara. The increase in launches would support both commercial missions, such as sending Starlink satellites into orbit, and government missions, including astronaut transportation for NASA.
Despite backing from the Space Force, the California Coastal Commission voted 6 to 4 against the proposal in an October 10 meeting. SpaceX alleges that several members of the commission cited non-environmental concerns, particularly pointing to Elon Musk’s polarizing presence on social media and his controversial political commentary, as reasons for the denial.
Political Controversy Takes Center Stage
SpaceX’s lawsuit claims that the commission’s decision was influenced by what it calls “overt and shocking political bias.” During the October meeting, some commissioners expressed concerns beyond the environmental impact of increased rocket launches. Commissioner Mike Wilson, for example, raised issues related to Musk’s Starlink satellite network, noting the billionaire’s growing control over global communications. Wilson also referenced Musk’s recent political statements on national platforms.
Another commissioner, Gretchen Newsom (no relation to California Governor Gavin Newsom), reportedly commented on Musk’s behavior on X, criticizing his dissemination of political falsehoods and attacks on FEMA, even as he offered Starlink internet access to hurricane victims.
Musk has publicly supported former President Donald Trump and has used his social media platform to spread politically charged rhetoric, including misinformation about the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene and making derogatory remarks about President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
SpaceX’s legal filing also highlights Musk’s previous promotion of conspiracy theories, including racist and anti-Semitic content. The lawsuit alleges that these controversial statements unduly influenced the commission’s vote, suggesting that the decision was based more on political motivations than environmental concerns.