SpaceX has received clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to launch another test flight of its Starship spacecraft, just days after an explosion in January’s test flight. The FAA allowed the eighth test flight, also known as Flight 8, while an investigation into the January mishap continues.
The January incident occurred over the North Atlantic when the 171-foot-tall Starship separated from the Super Heavy rocket booster and broke apart, causing debris to litter beaches and roadways in the Turks and Caicos islands. Residents reported finding hexagon-shaped heat shield tiles and other debris, which SpaceX claims are non-toxic.
SpaceX has identified a leak in the aft section of the vehicle as the likely cause of the explosion during Flight 7. The company believes that vibrations from flight may have contributed to the issue, but its built-in safety systems did trigger autonomously.
To address these issues, SpaceX conducted a ground test to replicate the vibration problems and made adjustments to the Starship’s engines and propellant temperatures. The upcoming Flight 8 is expected to offer a second chance to achieve objectives that were cut short during Flight 7, including deploying mock satellites mid-journey.
Liftoff from SpaceX’s facilities in South Texas is scheduled for Monday afternoon, with an investigation into the January incident ongoing.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/28/science/spacex-starship-flight-8-faa-approval/index.html