SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft has been the subject of an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following its second test flight. The investigation, led by SpaceX with oversight from the FAA, focused on the Nov. 18 launch of a Starship prototype that reached space before being intentionally destroyed due to a rocket problem. The FAA has now concluded its investigation and SpaceX has applied for a license to launch the rocket again.
During the investigation, SpaceX identified 17 corrective actions that need to be implemented before the next launch. The FAA is currently evaluating SpaceX’s license modification request and expects the company to provide additional required information before a final determination can be made. The close collaboration between SpaceX and the FAA demonstrates the commitment to safety and regulatory compliance in the commercial space industry.
According to SpaceX, the issues that caused the premature end of the second Starship launch were related to the rocket’s engines. The 33 engines of the “Super Heavy” booster initially worked as expected, but shortly after the upper part of Starship separated from the booster, several engines began shutting down. One engine failed, leading to a cascading failure that resulted in the booster breaking apart.
Despite the failure of the booster, Starship itself continued to fly for several more minutes. However, a leak in the rear of the spacecraft caused a combustion event and subsequent fires. This led to a disconnection between the spacecraft’s flight computers and the shutdown of Starship’s six engines. The rocket’s flight termination system was then triggered as a safety measure.
SpaceX has already made changes to address these issues in upcoming Starship vehicles. The company has made upgrades to both the booster and Starship prototypes that will be used in the third test flight. These improvements aim to prevent similar failures from occurring again.
The 17 corrective actions identified by SpaceX represent a significant improvement from the first Starship flight, which required 63 corrective actions. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to learning from each test flight and continuously improving its technology and processes.
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, has expressed optimism about the next Starship test flight. He expects the company to be ready to launch the third flight as soon as mid-March. However, regulatory approval from the FAA is still pending before the launch can take place.
Overall, the FAA’s investigation into the second Starship flight and SpaceX’s subsequent corrective actions highlight the rigorous safety protocols and continuous improvement efforts in the commercial space industry. As companies like SpaceX push the boundaries of space exploration, collaboration with regulatory authorities is crucial to ensure the safety of future missions. The upcoming launch of the third Starship test flight will be an important milestone for SpaceX as it seeks to refine its technology and pave the way for future space exploration endeavors.
