Elon Musk is about to defy both the FAA and Fish & Wildlife, in trying to launch his "Starship". What's the government going to do about it?

submitted by jerryk from (self.AskSaidIt)

In case you hadn't noticed, Elon Musk is playing chicken with the U.S. federal government and is "counting down" to a launch of his "Starship" later this week. He hasn't gone this far before, so, maybe he's actually going to do it? The FAA has not given him approval to launch, and Fish & Wildlife has an environment lawsuit blocking the launch. So, if he does launch, what will the government do about it? They have to do something, and it has to be fairly big, or they will lose all federal regulatory power in this area, and, maybe in others.

https://news.yahoo.com/spacex-knocks-sunday-launch-while-230700255.html

https://www.yahoo.com/news/spacex-starship-world-most-powerful-100622774.html

I suppose it depends on how it goes. Whether successful or not, the government will have to punish him. If he does enormous damage, he'll probably have to go to jail. If the launch is safe and successful, I suspect he'll be massively fined. I mean billions of dollars, as a fine. Which, of course, Elon can afford. Still, even he can't afford scores of multi-billion dollar fines.

Or, of course, Elon may just decide to call off his little game of chicken. I suspect, the latter, don't you?

You can email the FAA about this, you know, at edai-aero@faa.gov. I just did.

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[–]binaryblob 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (9 children)

Nothing you claimed is reflected in those articles.

[–]jerryk[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

Oh, you mean the lack of FAA approval? Yes, I know Yahoo is downplaying that. You can confirm it online though, if you're interested. Also the Fish and Wildlife lawsuit and injunction. Google this "The FWS's review aims to determine the impact of Starship and its launches on the local environment. To create an updated biological opinion, the agency has been given a maximum of 135 days. However, the FWS representative mentioned that they do not anticipate utilizing the full duration for the review process."Oct 28, 2023

You can Google this "SpaceX says its 2nd Starship test flight could launch on Nov. 17 (video) "Assuming regulatory approval," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says. SpaceX's next Starship test launch could lift off as early as Nov. 17, pending regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies." 4 days ago

[–]iamonlyoneman 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

this is why I wish saidit had a downvote button

[–]jerryk[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

And, people like you are the reason I'm glad it doesn't. So, how's that Tesla stock doing?

[–]iamonlyoneman 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

you should know

[–]binaryblob 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Still nothing you claimed is reflected in those articles.

You were saying he was going to launch without approval, jerryk.

[–]jerryk[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

That's what he seemed to be saying. It does look like the FAA has simply ignored the Fish and Wildlife lawsuit.

[–]binaryblob 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

No, he didn't. If you are not a bot, you are the stupidest user I have ever met here. If the goal is propaganda, it helps if you are more sophisticated.

[–]jerryk[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It sounded like that was what he was going to do, and there was no indication that the Fish and Wildlife suit had been settled. There still isn't. It sounds like he bullied FAA into approving the flight, and, they may live to regret their lack of appropriate oversight. Try not to brownnose Elon too aggressively in public. It's embarrassing to watch!

[–]jerryk[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Oh, you mean the lack of FAA approval? Yes, I know Yahoo is downplaying that. You can confirm it online though, if you're interested. Also the Fish and Wildlife lawsuit and injunction.

Google this

"The FWS's review aims to determine the impact of Starship and its launches on the local environment. To create an updated biological opinion, the agency has been given a maximum of 135 days. However, the FWS representative mentioned that they do not anticipate utilizing the full duration for the review process."Oct 28, 2023

You can Google this

"SpaceX says its 2nd Starship test flight could launch on Nov. 17 (video) "Assuming regulatory approval," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says. SpaceX's next Starship test launch could lift off as early as Nov. 17, pending regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies." 4 days ago

[–]WoodyWoodPecker 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Democrats blasted Elon for not hiring any illegal migrants to work at SpaceX. SpaceX is a federal contractor for NASA and they need security clearance to work for SpaceX which the federal government won't give non-citizens of undocumented status.

[–]In-the-clouds 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Interesting observation.... But SpaceX is part of the government, specifically the military and the US Space Force. They just launched a military craft last week, on November 9, 2023. Legally, they may be called a contractor, but according to their work, you can see they perform a military function. In times of war, governments often break the rules.

[–]jerryk[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

OK. So, you're saying he doesn't need FAA approval, because we're at war? So, why has he been asking for FAA approval for over six months, unsuccessfully? And, in what sense are we at war? Israel? Ukraine? Both?

In any case, the FAA governs the military too, and in U.S. airspace, the military requires, by law, FAA approval. I'd say Elon's simply playing chicken here. And/or seeing how much he can get away with.

[–]In-the-clouds 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I am not saying SpaceX should be allowed to break rules, but leaders have a history of declaring an emergency and then breaking the rules. Here's a recent example: Pharmaceutical companies, working for the government, broke FDA rules because Donald Trump authorized "emergency use" for the COVID shots.

If you see any more interesting developments with SpaceX, you could let us know. Corrupt leaders get away with their plans only when the people sleep, allow themselves to be distracted, are drunk.... or in other ways have rejected God.

[–]SneakyBishop 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

While I think he has some liquid cash, the majority of his wealth is in stock. Anytime he sells it he devalues the rest of his holdings. He's certainly playing a dangerous game by pushing the issue. He doesn't seem to like any of the government authorities, unless they are handing him a subsidy.

[–]gosso920 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

... Build a city on rock and roll?

[–]iamonlyoneman 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/spacex-clears-final-hurdle-second-starship-test-flight-rcna125333

[–]jerryk[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Yeah, I know. It's probably a mistake, and, they may regret it. They seem to simply be ignoring the Fish and Wildlife lawsuit, now. More damage is done, the FAA itself could find itself under fire.

[–]iamonlyoneman 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

If lawsuits in progress could stop progress, there would never be progress.