SpaceX cleared for Starship's 13th test flight this week after mishap probe

science space programs

The Federal Aviation Administration has closed its review into a SpaceX Starship booster return failure that occurred during a flight test in May. This closure clears the way for the company to launch the rocket's next test flight from Texas as soon as Thursday.

SpaceX plans to launch the newest version of its Starship rocket later this week. A previous mishap had postponed an earlier planned mission and prompted the FAA to require an investigation into the issue.

The upcoming flight will put Starship under higher pressure and will be used to test new Starlink satellites in orbit.

This will be the first Starship test flight for SpaceX as a public company. The mission will test the market's appetite for the company's "fly, fail, fix" approach to rocket development, which often ends in fireballs.

SpaceX is gearing up for Starship's 13th test flight later this week

arstechnica.com

SpaceX Plans Starship Test Flight After Delay

wsj.com

SpaceX cleared to fly Starship again after booster failure in May

techcrunch.com

SpaceX clears Starship mishap probe before next test flight this week

reuters.com

US agency closes Starship review ahead of SpaceX's next test flight

channelnewsasia.com