In a significant legal development, a group of 80 plaintiffs from South Texas has initiated a lawsuit against SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. The plaintiffs allege that the company’s rocket testing operations have led to “massive” sonic booms, resulting in repeated damage to their homes over a two-year period.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Southern District of Texas Court, accuses SpaceX of gross negligence and trespassing, citing the disruptive noise generated by 11 rocket tests conducted from April 2023 to October 2025. These tests involved two-stage rockets that reach heights of 400 feet, and the plaintiffs contend that the noise levels have subjected their properties to prolonged periods of damaging sound.
The destructive impact of these tests was starkly illustrated during the initial launch of the Starship rocket in 2023. The powerful 33-engine booster not only destroyed its launch pad but also sent debris flying up to three-quarters of a mile away, highlighting the potential dangers associated with such high-intensity rocket launches.
The plaintiffs, who own 53 homes in the communities of Laguna Vista, Port Isabel, and South Padre Island, are seeking a jury trial to recover damages, court costs, and attorney fees from SpaceX. While the lawsuit does not specify the exact nature of the damages caused to the homes, it does emphasize that the sonic booms can lead to structural issues, including damage to walls, windows, and roofs.
As of now, neither SpaceX nor Benigno Martinez, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, has responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. Currently, there are no scheduled hearings for this case in court.
SpaceX’s operations have expanded significantly in South Texas, increasing the frequency and intensity of its rocket launches. The company was instrumental in the establishment of the new Texas city of Starbase in May 2025 and has engaged in discussions with the Trump administration regarding land swaps for additional operational space near the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized SpaceX to conduct up to 25 rocket launches per year, a significant increase from the previous year’s limit of five launches. These launches necessitate the closure of an adjacent 8-mile stretch of beach, raising further concerns among local residents. Moreover, SpaceX is currently facing a separate legal challenge regarding the frequency of beach closures required for its rocket launches, with oral arguments having been heard by the Texas Supreme Court in March.
