Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX filed a lawsuit against a California commission Tuesday, alleging the body is restricting the company’s launch capabilities over political disagreements.
SpaceX’s suit says the California Coastal Commission seized regulatory control over the company’s coastal launches because it didn’t like Mr. Musk’s political statements.
“Rarely has a government agency made so clear that it was exceeding its authorized mandate to punish a company for the political views and statements of its largest shareholder and CEO,” SpaceX wrote in the suit.
SpaceX seeks to bar the commission from restricting its launches specifically at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara. The agency oversees the use of California’s coastal land.
SpaceX has launched rockets from the site since 2013.
With the backing of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, the company hoped to launch 50 rockets from the Vandenberg site next year. However, the commission ruled last week that commercial space launches aren’t within federal jurisdiction and SpaceX must adhere to the agency’s regulatory oversight.
The commission’s rejection coincides with Mr. Musk’s transformation into a conservative mega-donor. Over the past few months, he has thrown his weight behind former President Donald Trump, donating millions to Trump-friendly PACs and vowing to accept a position in a future Trump White House.
At least two commissioners have criticized Mr. Musk’s comments and actions. Mike Wilson has expressed concern over Mr. Musk’s control over Starlink, and Gretchen Newsom has accused the billionaire of spreading harmful conspiracy theories.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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