Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: SpaceX

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing that SpaceX cough up $633,009 in civil penalties for allegedly failing to follow its license requirements during two launches in 2023, in accordance with statutorily-set civil penalty guidelines.

The FAA proposal cites two incidents in May and June of 2023.

SpaceX submitted a request to revise its communications plan related to its license to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The proposed revisions included adding a new launch control room at Hangar X and removing the T-2 hour readiness poll from its procedures.

But on June 18, 2023, SpaceX used the unapproved launch control room for the PSN SATRIA mission and did not conduct the required T-2 hour poll.

The FAA is after $175,000 for each alleged violation.

Propellant farm

Image credit: SpaceX

In July 2023, SpaceX submitted a request to revise its explosive site plan related to its license to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The proposed revision reflected a newly constructed rocket propellant farm.

But on July 28, 2023, SpaceX used the unapproved rocket propellant farm for the EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter mission, earning them the FAA proposed $283,009 civil penalty.

SpaceX has 30 days to respond to the FAA after receiving the agency’s enforcement letters.