But that doesn't mean the giant vehicle has been cleared for its second liftoff.
Starship consists of two fully reusable elements, both powered by SpaceX's Raptor engine: a giant first-stage booster called Super Heavy and a 165-foot-tall upper stage known as Starship.
The April 20 flight marked the first time the duo had flown together. The goal that day was to send the Ship 24 upper-stage prototype partway around, ending with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. But Starship suffered a number of problems, chief among them the failure of its two stages to separate. Thus, Starship's Autonomous Flight Safety System was engaged, destroying the vehicle high above the Gulf of Mexico.
. Those engines blasted out a crater beneath the site's orbital launch mount, launching chunks of concrete high into the air. Such problems need to be addressed ahead of future Starship flights, the mishap investigation determined. "Corrective actions include redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety critical systems and components including the Autonomous Flight Safety System, and the application of additional change control practices," FAA officials wrote in today's statement.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SpaceX is not yet cleared for another Starship Super Heavy test flight, FAA saysFAA says SpaceX not yet cleared for another Starship Super Heavy test flight
Read more »
SpaceX’s Starship Poised for Second Flight, Pending FAA Go-AheadAfter a botched initial launch on April 20, SpaceX’s Starship is fully stacked and primed for a second takeoff, awaiting regulatory approval.
Read more »
FAA orders Musk's SpaceX to take 63 corrective actions on Starship, keeps rocket groundedThe FAA had been probing the April SpaceX launch, which saw Starship explode in mid-flight.
Read more »
FAA orders SpaceX to take 63 corrective actions on Starship and keeps rocket groundedIn order for SpaceX to resume Starship launches at its facility in Texas, the company will need to “implement all corrective actions that impact public safety,” according to the FAA.
Read more »
SpaceX ordered to make 63 fixes after FAA probes Starship explosionElon Musk’s Starship Super Heavy rocket was attempting a crucial demonstration to reach space for the first time before it exploded in April.
Read more »
SpaceX’s next Starship launch is on hold as FAA lists 63 “corrective actions” neededThe self-destruct triggered in April suffered an “unexpected delay.”
Read more »