周二， FAA局长Mike Whitaker在一场听证会上表示，SpaceX已经成立了20年，应该遵循最高安全水平的运营规则，因此对其在2023年两次违反规则的火箭发射处以63300美元的罚款。The Federal Aviation Administration in the usa fined SpaceX for two launches last year and stated that because the company did not complete a test, the launch of the company's spacecraft would be delayed. Musk was very dissatisfied with this, stating that the institution did not penalize Boeing for its mistakes but instead unfairly targeted SpaceX, showing bias.
On September 26th, the Financial Alliance News (edited by Malan) reported that Musk recently criticized the government institutions in the USA, claiming that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) favored Boeing, causing unnecessary trouble for SpaceX over trivial matters.
In June and July last year, SpaceX conducted two rocket launches in Florida, USA, but the FAA criticized that SpaceX launched without permission.
On Tuesday, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated at a hearing that SpaceX, being 20 years old, should adhere to the highest level of safety operating rules. Therefore, a fine of $63,300 was imposed for the two rule-breaking rocket launches in 2023.
In addition to this penalty, Whitaker also pointed out that due to SpaceX's failure to complete sonic boom analysis in a timely manner, the FAA will postpone the launch of Starship 5 until late November, with no authorization expected before then.
However, Congressman Kevin Kelly at the hearing pointed out the stark contrast between Boeing's new Starliner's poor performance in its first manned flight and SpaceX's Crew Dragon successfully bringing back stranded astronauts, raising doubts about FAA's excessive scrutiny of SpaceX.
Whitaker emphasized that the fine imposed on SpaceX is in the public interest and a priority of the institution's work, being the only tool to ensure compliance with safety issues.
Musk expressed anger online.
SpaceX's response to Whitaker's remarks can be described as disdainful, refuting that every word of Whitaker's is wrong, and SpaceX is the global leader in providing the safest and most reliable rocket launch services.
In a statement, they emphasized that the two things mentioned by Whitaker are not related to public safety and have been previously evaluated as not posing an environmental risk. Therefore, Whitaker's claim that SpaceX violates state laws is completely groundless.
The fine and delayed launch have also ignited SpaceX's CEO Musk's anger. Last week, he accused the FAA on Twitter of not punishing Boeing, which had major flaws in the spacecraft that prevented astronauts from returning to Earth, but penalizing SpaceX for helping fix Boeing's mess.
He also expressed anger over the delayed launch permit for the Starship, stating that if this situation continues, humans will never be able to land on Mars.
After listening to Whitaker's explanation on Tuesday, Musk made a post on Twitter again, bluntly stating that Whitaker should resign.
This is the latest dispute between Musk and the US federal government. For years, Musk has been dissatisfied with the low efficiency of some US institutions and has even exchanged words with the President himself on certain issues.
Whitaker responded casually, stating that compliance with regulations is the best way to solve problems.
