The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded SpaceX’s new Starship V3 launch vehicle just days after its debut flight. Although the upper stage performed admirably during the test, the first-stage Super Heavy booster failed in its attempted controlled splashdown, and the FAA wants this investigated before clearing the rocket to fly again.
Starship V3 is the largest version of the super-heavy launch vehicle yet, and the most powerful rocket ever created. Using all 33 of its new Raptor engines, the 124-meter rocket launched from SpaceX’s Starbase, Texas, facility on May 22. It successfully completed stage separation, sending the upper stage off to complete its sub-orbital goals and eventual controlled splashdown. However, the Super Heavy booster suffered a serious mishap.
Shortly after separation, when SpaceX attempted to re-light all 33 of the Super Heavy booster’s engines, only 29 lit, and Engine E6 exploded, knocking out the Raptors near it. The rocket then ended its boostback burn early and lost control over the Gulf of Mexico, breaking up before crashing into the ocean.
That, according to the FAA’s classification, is a mishap, and it has grounded the Starship V3 until it’s been properly investigated and potentially mitigated against happening again.
“The FAA is requiring SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation,” The FAA statement reads. “The FAA will oversee the SpaceX-led investigation, be involved in every step of the process, and approve SpaceX’s final report, including any corrective actions.”
As Space.com highlights, though, previous SpaceX mishap investigations have lasted as little as a few days, so it may not delay Starship V3 on its way to another test flight. Although Flight 13 was initially scheduled as an orbital test for Starship, it will likely instead repeat Flight 12 to demonstrate that it can be completed successfully without further mishaps.
