SpaceX has been granted authorization by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly its massive Starship rocket once again, despite a previous explosion that caused debris to rain down over Turks and Caicos. The FAA approved the modified license even though an investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
The Starship rocket broke apart during SpaceX’s seventh test flight in January, resulting in safety concerns for nearby flights. However, the company has a history of addressing such incidents and has been selected to help overhaul the FAA’s air traffic control system.
Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has a significant stake in SpaceX and has access to federal computer systems and data through his role. Some lawmakers are raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given Trump’s close relationship with Musk and the fact that SpaceX is being selected for the FAA air traffic control system project.
Despite these concerns, SpaceX plans to conduct its eighth Starship test flight as soon as Monday, March 3. The company’s private market valuation stands at $350 billion, and it has a history of pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/28/faa-clears-spacex-for-starship-test-flight-after-explosion-in-january.html