Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
FAA Greenlights SpaceX Starship Flight 9 After Safety Review
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted approval for SpaceX to proceed with its Starship Flight 9 launch, following a comprehensive safety assessment of the Flight 8 incident. The agency stated yesterday that SpaceX has adequately addressed the causes of the previous mishap, paving the way for the Starship vehicle to return to flight.
Recap of Starship Flight 8
Similar to SpaceX’s 7th Starship test flight in January, Flight 8 involved the successful separation of the Starship from the Super Heavy booster rocket. The booster then returned to the launch site at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, where it was secured by the launch tower. However, approximately nine minutes into the flight, Starship began to rotate uncontrollably and ultimately exploded before reaching its intended engine cutoff phase.
Past Flight Concerns and Safety Measures
Previous unsuccessful test flights led to debris from Starship scattering over Turks and Caicos and sections of the Bahamas. Although SpaceX has asserted that the debris remained within designated Debris Response Areas, the FAA has, on several occasions, implemented temporary slowdowns and diversions of flights, as well as complete ground stops at various Florida airports.
Expanded Aircraft Hazard Area for Flight 9
SpaceX intends to reuse a previously launched Super Heavy booster rocket—specifically, the one from Flight 7—for the upcoming Flight 9 test. As a result, the FAA is enlarging the Aircraft Hazard Area (AHA) as an additional precaution. Here’s a comparison:
- Flight 8 AHA: Roughly 885 nautical miles.
- Flight 9 AHA: Nearly doubled to 1,600 nautical miles, encompassing portions of Texas and Florida, along with the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.
Launch Window Restrictions
In addition to the expanded hazard zone, the FAA is also mandating that the Flight 9 launch window be scheduled during off-peak transit times. This measure aims to minimize interruptions to domestic and international airspace users.
Increase in Approved Starship Operations
This recent announcement follows the FAA’s decision earlier this month to issue a launch license for SpaceX’s Starship Flight 9 and to amend the license to broaden the company’s annual operational capabilities. “The authorization includes final action permitting SpaceX to increase Starship operations from an initial five up to 25 annually at Boca Chica, Texas.”