FAA’s $600K Fine for SpaceX Amidst Global Space Advances | This Week In Spaceflight

From the return of the record-breaking Polaris Dawn mission to India’s next giant leap in space exploration, this week is packed with exciting updates! We cover Sierra Space’s groundbreaking Moon technology, ISRO’s ambitious future missions, Martian milestones achieved by NASA rovers, and the FAA’s recent fine imposed on SpaceX. Don’t miss out on this detailed recap of everything that happened this week in spaceflight!
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🤵 Hosted by Elysia Segal (@elysia_segal).
🖋️ Written by Martijn Luinstra & Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (@AlexPhysics13).
🎥 Footage from: BocaChicaGal, Jack Beyer, Max Evans, D Wise, Starbase Live, PIB India/ISRO, ISRO, NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS, SpaceX, Sierra Space, NASA, JAXA/ISAS/DARTS/Kevin M. Gill, NASA/JPL, NASA/JPL/Cornell University, United Airlines, Sirius Space, JAXA, Polaris Program, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Russian Ministry of Defense, CCTV, Rocket Lab.
✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).
💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
🔍 If you are interested in using footage from this video, please review our content use policy: www.nasaspacef...
#SpaceX #PolarisDawn #FAA #ISRO #NASA #Starlink #MartianMilestones #MoonMissions #SierraSpace #Perseverance #Curiosity #Falcon9 #FalconHeavy #Spaceflight #RaptorEngine #Voyager #UnitedAirlines #OneWeb #SpaceNews #SpaceExploration #SpaceTech #MarsRover #SpaceUpdate #Starship #Starbase #TMinusSpace #Science #Astronomy #RocketLaunch

[@leonkernan]

If you think the FAA is slow, wait till you see how long it takes the Australian authorities to approve a launch.

[@kspencerian]

The KSP reference on how not to breathe on the Mun made my day.

[@Aerogamer158]

I’ve never understood why NASA (National Air and Space Administration) didn’t get governmental approval for the FAA division when it was formed. I also don’t understand why the FAA has jurisdiction over space flight when space flight isn’t aeronautics. It’s rockets.

[@ben.vision236]

I dig the waiting screen, way less jarring than previous versions

[@DebraJean196]

Well done Sierra Space! Can’t wait to see if this puppy scales up successfully. Wouldn’t that be incredible????

[@brandiwynter]

Watch out for DROP BEARS🐨!

[@wadewilson524]

Everyone at NSF does a great job, but Elysia is by far the best presenter. Would be awesome to to have you participating in more content!

[@bekahsmith1317]

the chick in the beginning? The one who talks to viewers like they're 10 year old kids? smh

[@disorganizedorg]

Gee, if the FAA took that $600K and hired people to review such things in a timely manner...

[@sarkaranish]

They were timely with both the Falcon 9 groundings. I think they do an ok job with their budget.

[@dadejazzba402]

No,it's political ...hellllooooo...lol

[@brianw612]

@@sarkaranish The bigest problem that SX has with the FAA is that they violate the conditions set out in their launch and reentry license with the FAA. Many don't get that. It is an agreement that Space X violates and has to answer for.

[@warrenwhite9085]

Realize that the sole FAA output is a signature on a paper… nothing else, no analysis, thought, effort, engineering, judgement required… You’d be foolishly naive to think any useful oversight is involved. These delays are political malice… more employees/resources would be more clueless drones.

[@robertanderson5092]

Do you realize how much a pen weighs on Jupiter?

[@FerociousPancake888]

I just can’t believe this! Now we’ve got moon earrings!? How long will the streak continue?? I love the fun little subtle touches like this that NSF includes in their videos.

[@dannyarcher6370]

This woman's voice is perfect for broadcast. So easy on the ears.

[@learsiyenoham]

Thanks Elysia and NSF team! I was not prepared for the Koala jump scare!😅

[@robertbrassell1215]

another great broadcast -- thanks NASASpaceflight

[@DebraJean196]

47 years of life for Voyager. I’d say we got our money’s worth out of this one! It’ll be sad when she finally dies. All we’ve learned from this amazing explorer…

[@MrKellymcilrath]

Great Moon earings Elysia! Thank you & NSF!

[@lanzer22]

You would think that SpaceX is the first pick for any space communication system. Curious what Intuitive Machines demonstrated to earn the contract. Let's hope it doesn't end up in delays and cost overruns.

[@mrbruce307]

Ms. segal your moon earrings look wonderful. where do you find all these different types of space-themed earrings?

[@cadenhowlett]

Love these updates - what a great time to be alive.

[@corrinastanley125]

Thanks Elysia and NSF team. The Australian launch site means the second stage would fall on land, probably uninhabited but a weird choice.

[@allun1345]

Pretty packed with space news this week

[@mattzstuff]

Thanks @nasaspaceflight and of course Elysia, top stuff!

[@lucababnik141]

Love waiting screen

[@MinSpace514]

Oh no, SpaceX's Christmas decoration budget is going to go to pay the FAA fine ! 💸

[@sarkaranish]

Seems SpaceX was doing stuff without permission, I don't think it's good that SpaceX broke the rules. The fine is a light tap on the wrist, but SpaceX can't ignore the rules of the FAA.

[@goldgamercommenting2990]

To be fair They need some humiliation some time around (2 falcon 9 failures)

[@julianemery718]

​@@goldgamercommenting2990 Two failures out of how many flights?

[@OhShiitakeMushrooms]

@@goldgamercommenting29902 failures out of what?….500 flights? 😂

[@fw00m62]

​@goldgamercommenting2990 liking your own comment is pathetic

[@pattiklaus9580]

Why does a recorded program have a lpng countdown delay?

[@berndbuchholz]

Thats quite a business modell... delay permit... force company to ignore permit... fine company.... WIN....

[@chrismcgraw2112]

It's called a shakedown.

[@warrenwhite9085]

SpaceX are space & engineering geniuses acting in good faith. The FAA are clueless hacks acting with political malice.

[@ryanodneal7001]

Starship cold deliver enough o2 to the moon for years and years in a few hours. Basically the same with Mars. I don't think o2 is an issue. Just saying.

[@absolutelyindustrys5884]

Not really there was a live chat just moments ago

[@justinsmith4438]

Hello everyone.

[@mikeymcginley]

What consumables were required to extract the O2 from the regolith?

[@steveaustin2686]

I have a feeling that Sierra isn't going to say. If they have patented it, you might be able to find it there.

[@ericpaul4575]

Lots of power. I would imagine it requires high temps. It could be similar to the refining of aluminum since there is a lot of aluminum oxide in regolith.

[@alianbaba9330]

I'm not sure why Chinese space news are skipped

[@tomdalton4016]

Cost just went up 600k for next government launch

[@steveaustin2686]

🙄 SpaceX deviated from their filed commo plan, which was almost certainly in their flight license. Deviating from the license, may result in fines. If the commo plan was in the flight license, which seems almost certain, SpaceX is likely going to lose that lawsuit. Why should SpaceX get a pass for breaking the rules? That is dumb.

[@SamuelLopez-id4po]

Hi

[@jacobmiller9468]

Thumbs 👍 and Comments for the algorithm

[@brendoncummins2762]

Woot

[@stevesoller4571]

Simple, the next government agency to contract for a satellite launch gets to pay a $600k surcharge.

[@lanzer22]

Also simple, SpaceX adds a 5% "FAA charge" to all launches and then every government agency will be banging on FAA's door to do their job quickly.

[@jeffreypierson2064]

Dumb. SpaceX wouldn't exist without government money. SpaceX broke the rules they wrote. Elon thought he was too important to be fined.

[@steveaustin2686]

🙄🤡 SpaceX deviated from their filed commo plan, which was almost certainly in their flight license. Deviating from the license, may result in fines. If the commo plan was in the flight license, which seems almost certain, SpaceX is likely going to lose that lawsuit. Why should SpaceX get a pass for breaking the rules? That is dumb.

[@steveaustin2686]

@@lanzer22 🙄🤡 SpaceX deviated from their filed commo plan, which was almost certainly in their flight license. Deviating from the license, may result in fines. If the commo plan was in the flight license, which seems almost certain, SpaceX is likely going to lose that lawsuit. Why should SpaceX get a pass for breaking the rules? That is dumb.

[@bineetgupta]

FAA needs to investigate 🔎 where do these always changing earrings come from ? If these useless people can't do it, then ISRO must design a spacecraft to get to that mysterious place show us how it looks like

[@grimbles39]

SpaceX: "Fine. You can ask Russia for flights to the ISS lol."

[@steveaustin2686]

🙄 SpaceX is contracted for flights up to Crew-14 under the Commercial Crew program. NASA is SpaceX's biggest customer and SpaceX and NASA are partners, not competitors.

[@WilboBaggins-dm7ub]

Busy week

[@PapanikosCooks]

Sheeeesh

[@peetky8645]

edema....... eeee deeee maa

[@ph11p3540]

India's space ambitions are even greater than Chinas. It all boils down to political will and national finances.

[@queeg6473]

The FAA has become a stroppy HOA who likes to overstep. "We want you to do this, even though you don't legally have to. If you don't do what we want we will fine you.".......Proceeds to scream and throw all its toys out of its pram.

[@jeffreypierson2064]

Other way around... SpaceX didn't follow the rules that SpaceX wrote. It is just Elon hubris.

[@steveaustin2686]

@@jeffreypierson2064 EXACTLY. The 'rah, rah, rah SpaceX rulz' fanbois are as bad as the SpaceX haters.

[@OlafGodredsson]

Be funny if they just launched flight 5 anyway

[@jeffreypierson2064]

That would be a multi-million dollar fine, again.

[@rogersmith1408]

​@@jeffreypierson2064I can hear Elon laughing now.

[@steveaustin2686]

That would be VERY dumb and could cost SpaceX all of the licenses.

[@ericpaul4575]

The tower is not ready yet, so the bitching about the FAA is just misdirection.

[@steveaustin2686]

@@ericpaul4575 Yep, the same thing happened with the FAA PEA in 2021, when SpaceX was having to replace the vertical LCH4 tanks with horizontal ones that conformed to Texas regulations.

[@wadewilson524]

FAA fines like this should go to a charity instead of benefiting the agency that levied the fine…

[@jeffreypierson2064]

My understanding is they go to the US General Fund. The FAA doesn't retain the fine.

[@TalismanPHX]

Im sure India 🇮🇳 is getting alot of assistance from Vladimir Putin since India is still a major trade partner with Russia, buying lots of discounted natural gas ⛽️ and oil 🛢 from the Russians.....

[@nicolasspedding6607]

First😅

[@mdr48371]

Finding out SpaceX stole land from Cards Against Humanity was not on my bingo card.

[@LolLol-fv9mt]

FAA fake

[@bekahsmith1317]

Elon adds $600k to his next contract....

[@newayemariamansa3788]

😂

[@Laborkei]

Well, I think with the Cost of Inflation (AKA the FAA Fine), its time to adjust the cost to the US Government to pick up the stranded Astronauts. Unless they want to pay Russia to do it.

[@steveaustin2686]

🙄 The Crew-9 mission was contracted under the Commercial Crew program in Mar 2022. All NASA did was change who the crew would be. SpaceX can almost certainly bill Boeing for the spacesuits, but the rest of the mission was going to the ISS anyway.

[@octanes101]

That just cost nasa 1 million$$ more to go get the stranded astronauts 😂

[@jeffreypierson2064]

Dumb. The government has a bigger hammer than SpaceX. Don't get into a pissing match with someone who prints money, literally.

[@steveaustin2686]

🙄🤡 The Crew-9 mission was contracted in Mar 2022 under the Commercial Crew program, so Crew-9 was going to the ISS anyway. All NASA did was change which two of the four crew members were on the mission. SpaceX can bill Boeing for the spacesuits, since the Commercial Crew contracts are fixed-price contracts, so Boeing is paying for the Starliner cost overruns.

[@brianmurphy8811]

Every contract with the US Government, Europe and NASA, should increase by exactly the price of the fine. Permanently.

[@jeffreypierson2064]

Dumb. SpaceX wouldn't exist without government money.

[@iamaduckquack]

Why? If SX don't want to pay fines they should follow the regulations like everyone else has to. They're doing this to themselves.

[@steveaustin2686]

🙄🤡 SpaceX deviated from their filed commo plan, which was almost certainly in their flight license. Deviating from the license, may result in fines. If the commo plan was in the flight license, which seems almost certain, SpaceX is likely going to lose that lawsuit. Why should SpaceX get a pass for breaking the rules? That is dumb.

[@pitchforksarecoming]

So Elon pulled that piddly amount out of his pocket.

[@OldGamerNoob]

Isn't Equitorial Launch Australia an oxymoron?

[@steveaustin2686]

Equatorial launches happen from KSC/CCSFS in Florida at 28.5N. The Arnhem Space Centre for Equatorial Launch Australia is at 12.4S, so is closer to the equator than CCSFS or KSC.

[@nigelhungerford-symes5059]

Check out a map sometime

[@steveaustin2686]

@@nigelhungerford-symes5059 🙄🤡 The Arnhem Space Centre is on the northern coast of Australia at 12.4 degrees South. NOT my problem that evidently simple latitude is beyond your understanding. 12.4 degrees South is closer to the equator than 28.5 degrees North is to the equator. The video itself has a helpful map for you at 10:38

[@goldgamercommenting2990]

2024 giving SpaceX some needed humiliation That’s enough for other space companies the opportunity to use their rockets

[@Robert-rt9ho]

Like yea the faa is slow but that doesn’t mean space x can just break the law

[@JustSomeCanuck]

And in addition, Cards Against Humanity has sued SpaceX. Seriously. Go look it up.

[@iamaduckquack]

Yes, rightfully so. SX is using land that isn't theirs.

[@MichaelDb-uq9dn]

Cause FAA gonna tell them how to run there business , none of them have half the brains but they gonna tell Elon what to do right , bhahahah

[@dadejazzba402]

FAA are going to lose their jobs in January ...lol

[@edmondthompson1523]

Fingers crossed.

[@jeffreypierson2064]

The FAA is doing their job. SpaceX wrote the plan and didn't follow it. Elon just thought he could get away with it.

[@iamaduckquack]

​@@jeffreypierson2064Typical rich person thinking they're above the law. I hope they succeed overall but can't say I'm upset they're struggling at the moment.

[@Jake-sj4oj]

Wtf

[@YesheRabsal]

The FAA is too slow. Sounds like a motivation problem. Y'all don't really have that much to do, get off your asses.

[@jeffreypierson2064]

The FAA has lots to do and not enough staff. If the FAA took a day off, the US would grind to a halt.

[@dougm3037]

FAA off and let SpaceX do their job.

[@jeffreypierson2064]

The FAA is doing their job. SpaceX sent them a change in mid-August, which the FAA has to consider. I suspect the subject matter experts are always busy.

[@iamaduckquack]

If SX stopped breaking rules and regulations the FAA could focus more on approving SX requests.

[@acritas]

Commercial space launch should be the priority to any country, provided they save tax payer money. What Spacex does, day in. day out! FAA should ignore political bureaucracy and motivate commercial companies, that way both will have a win win situation! Going forward, if these dumb FAA aligns to the future goals, we can expect a launch cadence never seen before!

[@steveaustin2686]

Sorry, SpaceX has to follow the rules like everyone else. IF it is in their launch plan, then they are supposed to follow the launch plan. This should NOT be a hard concept.

[@iamaduckquack]

Cards against Humanity is suing SX for using land that belongs to CaH. SX keep getting themselves into trouble.

[@larrybarnett85]

Let's make this the most like comment on this video!!!!

[@DirkSmith-f4h]

Why does Elon put up with the FAA’s crap?! He might be better off moving SpaceX to China, like he did with Tesla 😂

[@ryanthompson3737]

He'd instantly be put on a blacklist, and would likely face jail time. The only difference between an ICBM and a rocket is the payload.... basically selling ICBM technology to China is illegal.

[@steveaustin2686]

🙄🤡 Why should SpaceX be allowed to break their OWN rules? Taking SpaceX out of the US would be a STUPID move. First, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITARs) would restrict the rocket tech that SpaceX could export out of the US. Second, they would be leaving their two biggest customers behind, NASA and the NSSL payloads for the USSF/NRO.

[@sarkaranish]

Disappointing that SpaceX didn't follow the rules and is blaming the FAA for the fines and wants to sue the FAA. Very disappointing, reminds me of Sue Origin.

[@lanzer22]

They made a change to make things safer. What kind of verification time should they need? Rules that make sense should be followed, rules that doesn't make sense should be challenged. This is nothing like BO suing when they are simply out competed. When developing new rockets end up being faster than the paperwork needed to launch them, we have a huge problem.

[@sarkaranish]

@@lanzer22 They made a change that they THOUGHT would be safer, just like Boeing implemented MCAS because they thought it would be safer. And then on top of that, submitting the change 9 days before launch? That seems unreasonable and dangerous. This isn't about Starship, this is about Falcon 9 and Heavy.

[@rogersmith1408]

​@@sarkaranishit's an experimental unmanned flight. How much more risk could it possibly add making this change? Do you really think it would change the flight profile?

[@mrJety89]

10:35 That's what she said

[@FirstAmendmentAudits]

Come back to 3:15