The head of the Federal Aviation Administration said safety was the reason why it recently fined SpaceX and delayed an updated Starship launch license.

Elon Musk‘s SpaceX on Tuesday slammed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator Mike Whitaker for his comments defending delays in greenlighting the next launch of its Starship launch vehicle.

Elon Musk's SpaceX must operate at the "highest level of safety," the head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday, defending a proposed $633,000 fine against the company for violating agency rules ahead of two 2023 launches.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $633,000 fine against SpaceX for violating safety regulations during two launches in 2023. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated that SpaceX operated without necessary permits and failed to comply with federal safety guidelines.

A day after harsh criticism from Congress and industry, the FAA defended its approach to launch licensing and, specifically, its work with SpaceX.

The FAA delays SpaceX's Starship launch plan, citing additional environmental review and safety concerns, while SpaceX criticizes regulatory hurdles.

SpaceX’s Starship, the rocket NASA will use to return humans to the moon, faces delays as the company claims the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking too long to approve its next test.

The fine is related to two launches SpaceX conducted in 2023 using plans not approved by the agency. The FAA has separately decided to delay SpaceX's fifth test launch for its Sta