SpaceX: Speed Over Safety?

SpaceX, a leader in space innovation, is now facing two serious legal challenges. Two former employees have taken the company to court, claiming they were fired for raising safety concerns. Both workers say that SpaceX prioritized speed and cost-cutting over worker safety and well-being. Robert Markert, a longtime employee, says he was ignored when he pointed out dangerous practices in the rocket fairing recovery process. He claims that his concerns were dismissed because the current method was cheaper. Not long after, he lost his job. Markert also alleges that workers were often pushed to work long stretches without breaks, leading to injuries that went unreported out of fear. He says his suggestions for better training and certifications were also dismissed due to time and budget constraints. David Lavalle, another former employee, filed a separate lawsuit. He claims he was fired after suffering multiple work-related injuries, including a fractured foot and severe neck pain. Lavalle says he didn’t report all his injuries for fear of retaliation. He also alleges that older workers, including himself, were targeted in a wave of firings led by a much younger manager. These lawsuits come as SpaceX is working hard to launch its Starship rocket and maintain its position as the most frequently launched rocket in history with the Falcon 9. However, recent data shows that SpaceX has a higher worker injury rate compared to its peers. The Starbase complex in Texas, for instance, recorded an injury rate nearly three times the aerospace manufacturing average. Both lawsuits were initially filed in a California court but were later moved to a federal court. SpaceX has not publicly responded to these allegations.