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SpaceX has pushed back on claims made by FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker regarding safety violations allegedly made by the company over the years.

Let’s bring you up to speed: Earlier this year, SpaceX was involved in a series of disputes with the FAA over its launch practices and safety protocols. The company faced allegations from the FAA that it conducted launches without the necessary permits, failed to perform required risk analyses before relocating a fuel farm closer to populated areas, and did not provide an updated sonic boom analysis for a planned launch. These allegations led to increased scrutiny from the FAA, with the agency proposing fines and delays in SpaceX’s launch schedule.

SpaceX Fires back: In a letter to Congressman Kevin Kiley, SpaceX government affairs director Mat Dunn said he found the head of the FAA’s statements “concerning” and “incorrect.” He added, “In responding to your questions, Administrator Whitaker made several incorrect statements today regarding SpaceX. In fact, every statement he made was incorrect.”

Digging deeper: Elon Musk has previously accused the FAA of unfairly targeting SpaceX, suggesting their scrutiny is politically motivated and far more intense than the oversight given to other aerospace companies. He has specifically criticized what he perceives as a more lenient approach toward Boeing, arguing that both companies are not held to the same standards. Musk also believes that the FAA’s actions are unnecessarily slowing down SpaceX’s progress, creating delays and obstacles that hinder the company’s ability to push forward with its innovative space exploration projects.