SpaceX’s Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster lift off from the launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas, on Thursday. [Courtesy: SpaceX]
Key Takeaways:
SpaceX's Starship completed its third orbital test flight, but the vehicle was lost during atmospheric reentry, prompting a third FAA mishap investigation and subsequent grounding.
Despite the loss, the mission was a significant step forward, successfully reaching space, demonstrating orbital speeds, opening its payload door, and performing a crucial liquid oxygen transfer.
The continued development of Starship is vital for NASA's Artemis moon missions, with potential delays from investigations impacting the timeline for returning humans to the lunar surface.
Starship will remain grounded until the FAA concludes its investigation, identifies corrective actions, and grants a new launch license, though the absence of public damage may shorten the inquiry.
In what feels increasingly like a bout of déjà vu, SpaceX’s Starship—the largest and most powerful rocket ever flown—has been grounded again.
The FAA on Thursday initiated its third mishap investigation into Starship after the 400-foot-tall spacecraft and booster were lost during its third orbital test flight. Both components are intended to be reusable.
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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.
