FAA Implements 17 Corrective Steps for SpaceX Before Starship Can Take Flight Again in South Texas – Hoodline

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has wrapped up the probe into SpaceX's explosive Starship test over South Texas last November, outlining a series of steps the aerospace company must follow before the behemoth can soar again. According to a report by the Space.com, SpaceX is barred from launch until it carries out the 17 corrective actions laid out by the FAA, encompassing hardware tweaks, operational changes, and boosted fire safety measures.

The previous flight test on Nov. 18, which ignited the FAA's scrutiny, saw both stages of the Starship vehicle erupt into flames at staggering altitudes above Earth. While the first-stage booster, known as Super Heavy, failed and detonated around 3.5 minutes in, the upper stage followed suit eight minutes post-liftoff. The Houston Chronicle detailed that Super Heavy's engines shut down unexpectedly and one engine "failed energetically," leading to the catastrophic conclusion of the flight test. Notably,, the FAA stated that "prior to the next launch, SpaceX must implement all corrective actions and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental and other applicable regulatory requirements."

While this closure does not signify a green light for the Starship's next mission, SpaceX remains steadfast in their "build, fly and iterate" philosophy, gearing up for the third flight. The FAA has accepted the 17 corrective actions proposed by the SpaceX-led mishap investigation, as mentioned in statements obtained by Space.com. These actions require substantial changes, including vehicle hardware redesigns, updated control system modeling, and advanced engine control algorithms for the Super Heavy booster.

The rest of the corrective measures are focused on the Starship spacecraft itself, involving "vehicle hardware redesigns, operational changes, flammability analysis updates, installation of additional fire protection and guidance and modeling updates," FAA officials noted. Despite the high-profile setbacks, SpaceX, helmed by CEO Elon Musk, aims to use the massive, stainless-steel Starship rocket to further humanity's reach to the moon and Mars. According to the Houston Chronicle, NASA's Artemis program, which eyes a return to the lunar surface, is counting on the vehicle's success, designating it as the initial crewed lunar lander.

Underscoring the significance of SpaceX's progress, Musk previously remarked that the upper stage of the ill-fated November flight would have likely achieved orbit if not for the payload absence-related liquid oxygen venting incident. The findings from this second-flight probe contrast the maiden flight's 63 required modifications,, underscoring an improvement despite the explosive finale. With these latest FAA-required fixes, the stage is being methodically set for Starship's eventual ascent and SpaceX's continued quest in space exploration.

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FAA Implements 17 Corrective Steps for SpaceX Before Starship Can Take Flight Again in South Texas - Hoodline