SpaceX’s Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, is facing delays after regulators announced that the rocket must remain grounded until the completion of corrective actions. The announcement comes in response to a spectacular explosion that occurred during Starship’s first orbital test flight in April.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that SpaceX must complete 63 steps, including redesigns of vehicle hardware and the launch pad, as well as additional testing of safety systems. These measures aim to prevent leaks, fires, and other malfunctions that contributed to the previous explosion.
During the test flight, the uncrewed rocket experienced multiple engine failures, and its first-stage booster failed to separate from the spacecraft. The rocket ultimately disintegrated into a fiery explosion that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. This incident prompted the FAA to launch an investigation, while conservation groups expressed concerns about the environmental impact and announced plans to sue the regulator.
While the investigation is now concluded, the FAA clarified that the closure does not immediately allow for a resumption of Starship launches. SpaceX must implement all corrective actions and acquire a license modification that addresses safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements prior to the next launch.
Despite these setbacks, SpaceX remains committed to the development of Starship. The company sees the first test as a valuable learning experience that will contribute to upgrades in both the rocket and its ground structures. Standing at a towering height of 394 feet (120 meters) and producing an impressive 16.7 million pounds (74.3 Meganewtons) of thrust, Starship is envisioned as a fully reusable spaceship that will transport crew and cargo to Mars. NASA has even contracted a version of Starship to serve as a lander craft for its Artemis program, aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon by the mid-2020s.
