The FAA will require SpaceX to determine the cause of a mishap that occurred on Starship’s ninth test flight on Tuesday. [Courtesy: SpaceX]
Key Takeaways:
SpaceX's Starship is grounded by the FAA for a mishap investigation after its latest test flight failed due to suspected main tank pressure loss during reentry, marking its third incomplete mission this year.
This grounding creates a conflict with Elon Musk's ambitious goals to rapidly increase Starship launch cadence (to every 3-4 weeks) to achieve a potential Mars landing as early as late 2026.
While the Super Heavy booster's failure was covered by launch license exceptions, the Starship's loss delays progress toward full reusability and could impact its role in NASA's 2027 lunar landing mission.
SpaceX’s Starship rocket is grounded until the company determines what went wrong during the vehicle’s latest test flight on Tuesday.
The FAA will require SpaceX to complete a mishap investigation into the largest rocket to ever fly, which for the third time this year “did not complete its launch or reentry as planned,” the agency said Friday.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
