FAA Investigating SpaceX Starship Explosion After Latest Test Failure

The US Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into SpaceX From a starship explosion over Turks and Caicos Islands on Thursday. The explosion occurred during the spacecraft’s final test launch, which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has described as an important step toward humanity’s journey to Mars.

“Following stage separation, the spaceship’s upper stage successfully ignited all six Raptor engines and performed its flight to space,” SpaceX said in a press release. statement. “Before the fire was completed, the vehicle’s telemetry was lost after approximately eight and a half minutes of flight. Initial data indicate that a fire has developed in the aft part of the ship, leading to a rapid, unplanned dismantling.”

Since April 2023, SpaceX has been testing the capabilities of its Super Heavy Booster and Starship spacecraft to launch and recover for future use. After the explosion, Musk discussed the issue on X (formerly Twitter) and analyzed what went wrong based on preliminary data.

“A preliminary indication is that we had an oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship’s engine firewall, which was large enough to build up a pressure greater than the vent capacity,” Musk said. wrote. “In addition to obviously double-checking for leaks, we will add firefighting to that volume and probably increase the ventilation area. Nothing so far indicates that the next launch will be until next month.”

Meanwhile, SpaceX successfully recovered the Super Heavy booster using a launch tower nicknamed ‘Mechazilla’, which captured the booster between two massive arms. Despite this success, the FAA ordered SpaceX to report on the spaceship accident.

“The FAA is requiring SpaceX to conduct an accidental investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle during launch operations on January 16,” the FAA said in a statement statement. “There have been no reports of public injuries and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of damage to public property in Turks and Caicos.”

In a message posted Speaking to

“The FAA ensures that launches and re-entry are safely and efficiently integrated into our national airspace,” the agency said. “In the event of an accident, the FAA can quickly identify affected airspace and take action to protect aircraft from falling debris.”

The FAA declined to comment on the investigation when contacted by Declutter.

Undaunted by the loss, SpaceX is preparing for the next spacecraft launch.

“The ship and booster for Starship’s eighth flight test have been built and are undergoing pre-launch testing and preparation for flight,” the company said, “as we continue a rapidly iterative development process to build a complete and rapidly reusable space transportation system.” ”

Edited by Andrew Hayward