Gavin Newsom Supports SpaceX in Lawsuit Against California Commission
Newsom Backs SpaceX in Lawsuit
Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, has surprisingly shown support for Elon Musk and his private spaceflight company, SpaceX. The company, which is responsible for the majority of US space launches, filed a lawsuit against a California state commission last week. The lawsuit accuses the commission of political bias, alleging that Democrats are obstructing SpaceX launches off the Pacific coast. "I'm with Elon," Newsom stated in a recent interview.
SpaceX Files Lawsuit Against California Coastal Commission
SpaceX filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Los Angeles against the California Coastal Commission (CCC) on Tuesday, accusing the commission of political discrimination. The lawsuit is a reaction to the CCC's decision to halt SpaceX's plans to increase the number of rocket launches from the Space Force base in Santa Barbara County. SpaceX's legal team argues that the CCC's decision was politically motivated, citing Musk's political differences with Democrats as a possible reason.
The Allegations in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit claims that the 12 members of the CCC "engaged in naked political discrimination" when deciding on the Department of Defense's proposal to increase the number of SpaceX launches at Vandenberg from 36 to 50. The lawsuit states, "Rarely has a government agency made so clear that it was exceeding its authorized mandate to punish a company for the political views and statements of its largest shareholder and CEO."
Newsom's Stance on the Lawsuit
Governor Newsom has sided with SpaceX in the lawsuit, stating that an independent agency should have been involved in the decision-making process for rocket launches at the base, regardless of politics. Newsom recognizes that SpaceX plays a crucial role in national security rocket programs. In fact, SpaceX is essentially America's space program in terms of space launches and total mass launched into low Earth Orbit. SpaceX is even set to rescue Boeing's stranded crew at the International Space Station early next year.
SpaceX's Achievements
According to data from BryceTech, SpaceX launched 525 spacecraft into orbit in the first quarter, far exceeding China and Russia. SpaceX launched about 429,125 kg of spacecraft upmass in the first quarter, greatly surpassing China's rocket program, which launched only 29,426 kg. This achievement is largely due to SpaceX's Starlink deployment in LEO, as thousands of these satellites provide high-speed internet coverage to millions of customers worldwide.
Potential National Security Concerns
If Democrats are indeed attempting to undermine America's space program by using the government to limit Musk and slow down rocket launches, it raises serious national security concerns. It's necessary to discuss whether this far-left party is being influenced by foreign adversaries with competing space programs, such as China.
Bottom Line
The lawsuit filed by SpaceX against the California Coastal Commission raises questions about political bias and the potential impact on national security. The unexpected support from California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, adds another layer to the story. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you believe that politics should play a role in decisions related to space launches? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
