dailyloe.com – Dozens of homeowners are suing SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, over sonic booms causing damage to their Texas homes. The lawsuit was filed last week in federal court by 80 residents from South Texas. They allege that SpaceX acted with gross negligence and trespassing due to sonic booms from rocket tests conducted between April 2023 and October 2025.
The lawsuit details that the sonic booms occurred during 11 rocket tests. These tests involved rockets that launched and returned, resulting in prolonged exposure to damaging noise for nearby homes. A sonic boom is defined as a wave created by an object traveling faster than the speed of sound.
According to the U.S. Air Force, strong sonic booms can cause significant damage, including shattered glass. SpaceX has not yet responded to the lawsuit, and The Independent has also reached out for comment. Residents reported that a Starship rocket launch in 2023 resulted in the force from the 33-engine booster damaging the launch pad and scattering debris up to three-quarters of a mile away.
While the lawsuit does not specify the exact damage to homes, it states that sonic booms can harm walls, windows, and roofs. The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of money as compensation for the alleged damages.
In 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration authorized SpaceX to launch up to 25 rockets annually from South Texas, significantly increasing from five the previous year. Recently, SpaceX has expanded in the South Texas area, with employees founding the city of Starbase, Texas, in May 2025.
Additionally, rocket launches have led to the closure of an eight-mile stretch of beach near the launch pad. This closure has prompted a separate lawsuit regarding the frequency of area closures. SpaceX, founded in 2002, has Musk as its current CEO. A recent SEC filing revealed that only Musk can remove himself from the company.
SpaceX is reportedly preparing to offer stocks, possibly as early as this summer, according to the Wall Street Journal.
