SpaceX could potentially receive a fine of over $600,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA says it will give SpaceX 30 days to respond to the potential fine, which it wants to apply for allegedly failing to follow license requirements for the Satria-1 communications satellite launch last June and the EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter launch one month later.
SpaceX has to give an explanation for the violations, or it will receive fines for both, amounting to $633,009.
Satria-1 Launch ‘Violation’
The FAA says SpaceX used a new launch control room for the Satria-1 launch on June 18, 2023, and did not conduct the required T-2 hour poll.
SpaceX had submitted requests to make the changes to its license to launch in May, but the FAA did not approve this by the time the launch rolled around in June.
The FAA said in a release that the space exploration company “proposed revisions including adding a new launch control room at Hangar X and removing the T-2 hour readiness poll from its procedures.”
The agency did not approve these measures, but SpaceX did it anyway.
Each violation could cost SpaceX $175,000, meaning it could be potentially $350,000 in fines.
EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter Mission ‘Violation’
SpaceX submitted a request in July to the FAA to modify its explosive sight plan for the XXIV/Jupiter launch, a newly constructed rocket propellant farm.
The FAA did not specify whether it did not approve the use of the new propellant farm or if it did not respond to SpaceX’s inquiry.
SpaceX used it anyway, and the FAA is proposing a $283,009 penalty.
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