It probably will come as no surprise to anyone that SpaceX’s Starship program is once again grounded pending another mishap investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Thursday that it has initiated its third mishap investigation into the Starship program following an anomaly during its latest orbital test flight, IFT-3, on March 14, 2024. This inquiry marks yet another pause in the testing of the huge rocket, which reigns as the largest and most powerful rocket in history.
According to a report published in Flying Magazine, the FAA will be reviewing the performance of the spacecraft and booster, with an eye toward the communications failures that they believe may have contributed to the loss of the vehicles.
The purpose of an FAA mishap investigation is generally to pinpoint the root causes of anomalies and prescribe corrective measures to forestall future occurrences. Mishap investigations are not punitive in nature. The FAA’s mandate ensures that SpaceX’s journey back to the launch pad will be contingent on a thorough assessment of the mishap’s implications for public safety and the integration of any requisite adjustments into their operational blueprint.
Despite the vehicle loss, Thursday’s flight represented a leap over its predecessors, with the rocket not only generating a record-breaking 16 million pounds of thrust from its 33 Raptor engines but also achieving nearly half a globe’s traversal before succumbing to reentry challenges. The latest flight outstripped NASA’s Space Launch System, and any other rocket in history for that matter for sheer thrust.
IFT-3 also saw Starship for the first time reach space and open its newly designed payload doors in orbit,demonstrating a capability critical for future missions, including the deployment of Starlink satellites and other cargo. Additionally, the mission succeeded in demonstrating a liquid oxygen transfer between two tanks, a crucial operation for sustained lunar and beyond missions under NASA’s Artemis program.
NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the lunar surface after a hiatus of five decades, heavily relies on the success of Starship, so regulatory delays hopefully will be minimal. SpaceX anticipates the need for about 10 refueling missions to prepare the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) for its lunar touchdown during Artemis III.
The latest incident, though devoid of public harm or property damage, could slow the timeline and readiness of the Artemis missions. NASA recently pushed the Artemis III crewed moon landing back to the 2026 time frame, citing in part delays in the development of a Human Landing System of which Starship is a key player.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact number of required orbital test flights for Starship, SpaceX’s CEO Elon Musk remains optimistic, forecasting an ambitious schedule of six additional tests within the year.
Fortunately, many observers do not believe the latest investigation will be lengthy as far as governmental agencies go. Still, SpaceX will have to comply with any remedial requirements by the FAA, as well as any corrective actions found in their own investigation.
The FAA said in a statement on their website:
A mishap occurred during the SpaceX Starship OFT-3 mission that launched from Boca Chica, Texas, on March 14. The mishap involved both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship vehicle.
No public injuries or public property damage have been reported. The FAA is overseeing the SpaceX-led mishap investigation to ensure the company complies with its FAA-approved mishap investigation plan and other regulatory requirements.
Background
A mishap investigation is designed to further enhance public safety, determine the root cause of the event, and identify corrective actions to avoid it from happening again.
The FAA will be involved in every step of the mishap investigation process and must approve SpaceX’s final report, including any corrective actions.A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. In addition, SpaceX may need to modify its license to incorporate any corrective actions and meet all other licensing requirements.
Were I the Emperor of the FAA my troops would be at Boeing not Space X with the exception of a few to review what Space X is doing and then do a formal review of the return to flight program including any needed corrections to equipment or software.