The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated on Wednesday that SpaceX has not yet received clearance for another test flight of its Starship Super Heavy launch vehicle.
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The FAA announced on Wednesday that SpaceX is still awaiting clearance for another test flight of its Starship Super Heavy launch vehicle.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, in a post on his platform X (formerly Twitter), claimed on Tuesday that “Starship is ready to launch, awaiting FAA license approval.”
However, SpaceX has not yet met the FAA’s requirements to resume flying after the explosion during the vehicle’s first test flight in April 2023.
The initial launch of the Starship experienced engine failures, significant damage to infrastructure, and ultimately failed to reach space before intentionally being destroyed.
The mishap resulted in a crater, debris scattered among sensitive wildlife habitat, and a small fire.
The FAA will not authorize another Starship launch until SpaceX implements the corrective actions identified during the mishap investigation…
Federal Aviation Administration
The mishap triggered a FAA investigation, which is standard procedure for commercial space transportation operations.
In a statement to CNBC, the FAA said they will only authorize another Starship launch once SpaceX addresses the issues identified during the investigation and complies with all regulatory requirements.
Ars Technica initially reported on the FAA’s decision, and SpaceX has yet to comment on the matter.
In July, the FAA was asked to brief the Senate and House appropriations committees regarding their mishap report before SpaceX conducts any future Starship Super Heavy launches.
NASA currently relies on SpaceX as the sole provider for transporting people into orbit from the U.S. SpaceX’s Starship program aims to transport large scientific equipment, and facilitate cost-effective cargo and human transport to the Moon and eventually Mars.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk, the largest shareholder of SpaceX, obtained a $1 billion loan from the company while completing the Twitter buyout.
Musk’s relationship with regulators and certain members of Congress remains strained, as he has previously disregarded FAA requirements.
For instance, The New Yorker reported that in December 2020, Musk defied the agency’s orders and conducted a test flight of the SN8 rocket, resulting in an explosion.
More recently, SpaceX conducted tests of a water deluge system at the Starship Super Heavy launch site in Texas without obtaining the necessary environmental permits for discharging wastewater.
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