SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission, accusing the state agency of overstepping its authority and blocking the company’s efforts to increase rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The lawsuit (via Reuters), filed in the Central District of California, claims that the commission’s actions violate federal law and are driven by political bias against Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO.
The dispute centers around the commission’s recent refusal to approve an increase in SpaceX’s annual launch quota from 36 to 50 missions. SpaceX argues that the Coastal Commission is attempting to regulate operations at a federal military base—territory the company claims is beyond the state’s jurisdiction.
SpaceX states that its operations at Vandenberg are essential to national security, supporting the U.S. military and defense efforts.
Political Motivations Cited
According to the lawsuit, the Coastal Commission’s decision was not based on environmental concerns but on animosity toward Musk’s political activities. During public hearings, commissioners criticized Musk for his political views, accusing him of spreading misinformation and engaging in inappropriate behavior on social media.
“The concern is with SpaceX increasing its launches, not with the other companies increasing their launches . . . we’re dealing with a company . . . the head of which has aggressively injected himself into the Presidential race and made it clear what his point of view is,” said Commissioner Caryl Hart previously.
Legal and Operational Implications
SpaceX maintains that the commission’s demands contradict longstanding agreements between the U.S. Air Force and state agencies. Vandenberg, a federal enclave, has hosted both government and commercial launches for decades, with the federal government overseeing regulatory compliance.
SpaceX’s legal complaint asserts that the Coastal Commission has previously allowed other companies to launch without requiring additional permits.
The company argues that forcing it to obtain a coastal development permit for launches sets a dangerous precedent that could disrupt national security operations. SpaceX seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, asking the court to block the commission from enforcing permit requirements and interfering with federal operations at the base.
SpaceX continues to forge ahead but is again being held back by government red tape. It successfully caught its Starship Super Heavy Booster at its launch tower in Boca Chica on Sunday, its first attempt at doing so. The next day, its Falcon Heavy rocket launched a critical NASA mission to space.
