The Implications of SpaceX’s Second Starship Test Flight

Saturday’s launch again ended in the loss of both Starship stages, prompting another FAA mishap investigation and potential delays to NASA’s Artemis moon mission program.

Jack Daleo

Monday, November 20, 2023 at 03:04 PM ET

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SpaceX’s Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster take off from the Starbase launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas, on Saturday morning. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX's second Starship test flight achieved a crucial success with hot-stage separation and full engine ignition, but both the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage were ultimately lost in explosions.
The loss of both rocket components has triggered another FAA mishap investigation, grounding Starship until the inquiry is completed and a new launch license is approved.
These iterative setbacks and regulatory delays put pressure on Starship's ambitious development timeline, which is critical for NASA's Artemis lunar missions, and add to ongoing challenges from environmental lawsuits and workplace safety concerns.

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The most powerful rocket ever built is grounded—again.

SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster flew for the second time on Saturday, and the results were a mixed bag. Stage separation—the point at which the spaceship’s maiden voyage in April went off the rails—was a success. But like last time, both the rocket and booster exploded and were lost, prompting another mishap investigation by the FAA. Starship will not be able to fly again until the investigation and a launch license evaluation are concluded.