A former SpaceX supervisor has accused Elon Musk's rocket company of "despicable conduct" regarding its safety practices. He claims that chronic understaffing led to severe injuries, which overworked employees were "too fearful to report." Robert Markert, who worked at SpaceX for nearly 14 years before his termination, filed a civil lawsuit, initially in state court and later moved to Los Angeles federal court last week. In the complaint (seen by the Independent), Markert states he raised "strong concerns" about revising a technical process that could "easily cause serious injury or death." However, he claimed that SpaceX chose to maintain the existing process because it was deemed "more economical."
At SpaceX, Markert oversaw a team of 16 technicians responsible for retrieving the company’s rockets after their return to Earth and preparing them for reuse. His lawsuit details these alleged safety concerns within the company's operations.
What the former SpaceX employee said in his complaint
In his complaint, Markert alleged that SpaceX declined to ease what he described as an overly demanding launch schedule, which required employees to work for up to three consecutive weeks without time off and limited essential training programs to cut costs.
When Markert raised these concerns with management, he says he was told that “the schedule comes first,” according to the filing. Efforts to arrange time off for his crew were met with disapproval, as the complaint claims he was “chastised [by] his leadership team.”
He also reported raising a significant staffing issue involving the ships used by SpaceX to retrieve spacecraft, only to be told he “needed to bring solutions, not problems.”
In another instance, Markert says he advised company leaders that SpaceX “needed to prioritise” more training so workers could obtain necessary certifications. However, the complaint states he was told “there is no time for that and the company would not spend the money on it.”
Markert, who was dismissed by SpaceX earlier this year, contends that his firing was partly due to his criticism of the company’s safety practices. SpaceX has experienced four rocket failures in 2025 so far, according to the complaint.
At SpaceX, Markert oversaw a team of 16 technicians responsible for retrieving the company’s rockets after their return to Earth and preparing them for reuse. His lawsuit details these alleged safety concerns within the company's operations.
What the former SpaceX employee said in his complaint
In his complaint, Markert alleged that SpaceX declined to ease what he described as an overly demanding launch schedule, which required employees to work for up to three consecutive weeks without time off and limited essential training programs to cut costs.
When Markert raised these concerns with management, he says he was told that “the schedule comes first,” according to the filing. Efforts to arrange time off for his crew were met with disapproval, as the complaint claims he was “chastised [by] his leadership team.”
He also reported raising a significant staffing issue involving the ships used by SpaceX to retrieve spacecraft, only to be told he “needed to bring solutions, not problems.”
In another instance, Markert says he advised company leaders that SpaceX “needed to prioritise” more training so workers could obtain necessary certifications. However, the complaint states he was told “there is no time for that and the company would not spend the money on it.”
Markert, who was dismissed by SpaceX earlier this year, contends that his firing was partly due to his criticism of the company’s safety practices. SpaceX has experienced four rocket failures in 2025 so far, according to the complaint.
You may also like
Trump's judge pick: US President's ex-defence lawyer approved for court of appeal; whistleblower claims denied
Nigel Farage faces probe by Parliament's standards watchdog over 'interests'
Stay fit. Stay dry. Stay unstoppable with playR
'I reclined my plane seat and passenger's reaction left me wanting to cry'
Quentin Tarantino's favourite movie trilogy of all time is leaving Amazon Prime very soon
