FAA Mandates SpaceX Starship Grounding: Urgent Call for Corrective Measures!

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that SpaceX is not yet cleared for another test flight of its Starship Super Heavy launch vehicle. This comes after the rocket exploded mid-flight during an April launch.

The FAA’s investigation into the mishap has concluded, listing 63 corrective actions that SpaceX must take before being granted clearance for another test flight.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), claimed that the Starship is ready to launch pending FAA license approval.

The FAA’s final report highlights multiple root causes of the mishap and outlines the corrective actions that include hardware redesigns, launch pad modifications, additional safety reviews, and testing of critical systems and components.

In order to resume Starship launches in Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX must implement all necessary corrective actions as determined by the FAA and obtain a license modification that addresses safety and environmental requirements.

Further details on the investigation report will not be released publicly due to the sensitive nature of the information.

The initial Starship launch resulted in the rocket sustaining severe damage, failing to reach space, and being intentionally destroyed in mid-air. The explosion caused significant environmental impact and a lawsuit was filed against the FAA by conservation organizations alleging inadequate environmental review.

The Starship program is of great importance to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet business, which provides internet services to over 50 countries worldwide. It has also been reported that Elon Musk has used Starlink to influence battlefield strategy and outcomes during the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.