The Federal Aviation Authority is investigating SpaceX for allegedly failing to meet certain terms of its launch license in a test launch in December. It is not known exactly what conditions are involved.
That writes The Verge, who spoke to the FAA and sources familiar with the cases. Part of the problem would be that the rocket, ‘SN8’, a prototype of its new Starship line, exploded on landing. In addition, SpaceX allegedly failed to adhere to certain terms of its launch license.
Partly because of this, the test launch of the next rocket, SN9, was also delayed last Thursday. It is now scheduled for Monday. How to proceed is not entirely clear. The FAA is investigating SpaceX practices around launches, which could cause delays. Things are further slowed down by the fact that SpaceX is requesting changes to its launch license, which the FAA must approve and which it will no doubt now do with a more critical eye.
In an official response to The Verge, the FAA said that “While we recognize the importance of acting quickly to drive growth and innovation in commerce, the FAA will not compromise its responsibility to protect public safety.”
The ultimate goal of the Starship tests is to prepare the nearly 120-foot-tall Starship rocket, which will feature the first Super Heavy rocket stage equipped with some 30 Raptor engines. The second stage, the Starship section, will have six. This rocket must, among other things, achieve the goal of putting the first human on Mars.
The SN8 test launch in December