SpaceX’s Starship Cleared for Launch by FAA After Previous Debris Incident Over Populated Areas

Federal regulators are letting SpaceX proceed with another test flight of its Starship spacecraft. This comes after the spacecraft experienced an explosion during a January test flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it has granted approval for the eighth test flight, known as Flight 8. This decision comes while the investigation into the January incident is still ongoing.

In a statement, the FAA confirmed, “The FAA issued a license modification authorizing the SpaceX Starship Flight 8 launch.” They noted that SpaceX had met all required safety and environmental standards for this upcoming test.

Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, has already started promoting Flight 8 on social media. Initially, the company aimed for a Friday launch but pushed the date to Monday instead. The liftoff is set to happen from their site in South Texas.

The mishap in January occurred when the 171-foot (52-meter) Starship detached from the Super Heavy rocket booster, leading to an explosion over the North Atlantic.

Debris from the explosion disrupted air travel, and one piece struck a vehicle on South Caicos Island. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, although local residents discovered bits of debris on various beaches and roads.

After the incident, officials from the Turks and Caicos met with SpaceX to create a debris recovery plan, which was approved by local government in February.

Alizee Zimmermann, the executive director of the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund, has shared that residents are still uncovering remnants a month after the explosion. Some debris has become buried under seaweed, but it continues to be found.

In a document SpaceX provided, they reassured residents that the debris would not harm the local environment. Among the most commonly found debris were hexagon-shaped heat shield tiles. SpaceX clarified that these tiles, made from high-grade silica, are durable and safe.

SpaceX even shared a lighthearted image showing a burger and fries served on these thermal tiles, highlighting their everyday use at their Starbase facility in Texas.

According to SpaceX, the explosion during Flight 7 likely stemmed from a leak near a tank that held liquid oxygen. This leak probably led to a dangerous pressure buildup and a fire. They also stated that vibrations during flight might have contributed to the problem.

Although they lost contact with Starship before it broke apart, the vehicle’s safety systems engaged as intended, helping prevent larger debris from falling to the ground.

For Flight 8, SpaceX is testing changes based on lessons learned from the previous flight. They’ve adjusted fuel lines, propellant temperatures, and engine settings to enhance safety. New vents and a purge system have also been added to minimize risks in case of fuel leaks.

The upcoming mission gives SpaceX another opportunity to meet its objectives, such as deploying mock satellites during the flight—something they could not test during the previous attempt.