SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space company, and the state government of California have entered into a legal battle. The lawsuit was initiated because the California state government did not approve the increase in the number of rocket launches by SpaceX, which the company claims is political retaliation. SpaceX has alleged that the Democratic-controlled California state government is obstructing their plans as retaliation for Musk’s support of former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate.
According to foreign reports dated October 16th (local time), SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against a public agency of California for not approving the increase in the frequency of their rocket launches. Since 2013, SpaceX has been launching Falcon 9 rockets from Vandenberg Base in California. The company has asked the court to issue an order that would limit the authority of the California Coastal Commission.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Los Angeles, targets the California Coastal Commission, which oversees the Vandenberg Space Force Base on the coast northwest of LA. The commission recently voted 6 to 4 to reject a request from the military to allow SpaceX to increase its annual rocket launches from 36 to 50 at the base. The members of this commission were appointed by the Democratic governor of California and a predominantly Democratic state legislature.
SpaceX argues that the decision by the California Coastal Commission is retaliatory in nature due to CEO Musk’s recent political activities. Musk has publicly expressed his support for Donald Trump ahead of the U.S. presidential election and has personally participated in Trump’s campaign rallies. Moreover, Musk has donated $75 million (approximately 102.3 billion KRW) to Trump’s campaign from July to September.
SpaceX also pointed out that a member of the California Coastal Commission publicly criticized Musk, accusing him of spreading false political information about the U.S. government’s hurricane relief efforts. SpaceX claims that the commission’s decision regarding launch permits is a form of retaliation against constitutionally protected political speech. The company argues that the commission is overstepping its authority by punishing the company for the political views and statements of its CEO and largest shareholder, Musk.