The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is facing a lawsuit over its approval of SpaceX’s Starship launch program following an explosion of a Starship prototype in April. The lawsuit alleges that the FAA failed to properly evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the program and violated federal law by approving it without conducting a thorough review.

The explosion occurred during a test flight of a Starship prototype, which was intended to test the vehicle’s ability to launch and land successfully. The incident resulted in significant damage to the launch site and raised concerns about the safety of the program.

The FAA had previously granted SpaceX a license to conduct Starship launches, but the lawsuit alleges that the agency failed to adequately consider the risks associated with the program and failed to consult with other government agencies before issuing the license.

The lawsuit, which was filed by the Sierra Club and several other environmental groups, argues that the FAA’s approval of the program violates the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal laws. The groups are seeking to block the program until a more comprehensive review can be conducted.

The lawsuit is just the latest challenge for SpaceX and its Starship program, which aims to revolutionize space travel by developing a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans to the moon, Mars, and beyond. The company has faced numerous setbacks and challenges in developing the technology, including several failed test flights and regulatory hurdles.

As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on SpaceX’s ability to develop and launch its Starship spacecraft. Nonetheless, it highlights the complex regulatory and environmental issues involved in the development of new space technologies and the importance of thorough review and evaluation.