Lawsuit alleges homes and other properties were damaged during 11 test flights between April 2023 and October 2025
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court in Brownsville, Texas, alleging that homes and other properties were damaged during 11 SpaceX test flights carried out between April 2023 and October 2025.
“While executing its Starship test, launch and landing operations, SpaceX has repeatedly subjected the surrounding areas to extraordinary amounts of acoustic energyincluding noise, vibrations and sonic booms,” the lawsuit states.
Process involves test launches carried out between 2023 and 2025 – Image: SpaceXSpacex and its Starbase in Texas
- SpaceX spent years transforming the South Texas coastal site into a extensive industrial complex;
- The Starbase facility is designed to support high-volume rocket production;
- SpaceX, valued at US$1.7 trillion (R$8.4 trillion)is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO);
- The suit claims that Starship generates more than 7.2 million kilograms of thrustan amount almost twice as large as NASA’s modern Space Launch System;
- SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket are designed to be a fully reusable transportation system. Both are approx. 122 m tall.
The complaint alleges that SpaceX failed to adequately study the impact of flights on surrounding residences and continued releases despite the likelihood of property damage. The lawsuit also says that SpaceX was aware of the risks but moved forward with “conscious indifference to the rights, safety or well-being of others, including the applicants”.
What the parties say
The Reuters tried to contact SpaceX, the only defendant in the case, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Attorneys for Texas residents whose homes are in the area around SpaceX’s Starbase in Cameron County, Texas, also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
