Musk slams FAA for fining SpaceX over 'petty matters' while NASA astronauts remain stranded in space

Dispute arose after FAA imposed $633,009 penalty on SpaceX for licensing violations during two launches in 2023

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, has fiercely criticised the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for fining his company while seemingly ignoring Boeing's more serious issues.

The dispute arose after the FAA imposed a $633,009 penalty on SpaceX for licensing violations during two separate launches in 2023, including the PSN SATRIA mission.

Musk condemned the FAA’s focus on what he called "petty matters" while neglecting Boeing’s failure to safely return astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS).

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk highlighted NASA’s recent decision to delay the return of veteran astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore due to technical problems with Boeing's Starliner capsule.

Originally scheduled for a swift return, the astronauts have been stranded since June and are now expected to return only in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

Musk expressed frustration that the FAA has yet to penalise Boeing for this safety lapse.

"This is deeply wrong and puts human lives at risk," Musk stated. "NASA deemed the Boeing capsule unsafe for astronaut return, yet the FAA is fining SpaceX over trivialities."

The FAA defended its decision, with Chief Counsel Marc Nichols stating that "safety drives everything we do at the FAA," and that companies failing to meet safety requirements will face consequences.

SpaceX previously faced a $175,000 fine in 2023 for not submitting necessary safety data before a Starlink launch. Additionally, the FAA completed an investigation into SpaceX's Starship rocket and has demanded corrective measures.

Musk and SpaceX have disputed these allegations, claiming the FAA is misusing its resources to target SpaceX over insignificant issues.

SpaceX released a letter to top congressional leaders, arguing that the FAA's inefficient oversight of licensing processes threatens US national priorities and innovation.

The conflict intensifies the growing debate over the FAA's regulation of commercial space travel, particularly as both SpaceX and Boeing play critical roles in NASA’s manned missions.

As the astronauts remain stranded, Musk continues to push for accountability from Boeing and insists that his company is being unfairly targeted.