Eighty homeowners in South Texas have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's SpaceX, alleging that sonic booms from rocket tests have damaged their properties. The lawsuit, lodged in federal court last week, accuses the company of gross negligence and trespassing.
The sonic booms occurred during 11 rocket tests between April 2023 and October 2025, according to the Texas Tribune. The residents claim that the intense noise from launches and landings caused prolonged periods of disturbance and structural harm.
A sonic boom is generated when an object exceeds the speed of sound. The U.S. Air Force notes that powerful booms can shatter glass and cause other damage. The lawsuit states that a Starship rocket launch in 2023 saw its 33-engine booster destroy the launch pad and hurl debris up to three-quarters of a mile away.
While the filing does not list specific damage to individual homes, it asserts that booms can crack walls, windows, and roofs. SpaceX has not commented on the suit. The Federal Aviation Administration authorised up to 25 launches per year from South Texas in 2025, five times the previous annual limit.
SpaceX's presence in the region has grown, with employees founding the city of Starbase, Texas, in May 2025. Rocket launches have also closed an eight-mile stretch of beach, prompting a separate lawsuit over access restrictions.
