SpaceX’s Starship rocket is not allowed to fly for the time being. The largest rocket in the world does not meet all safety and environmental requirements. The commercial space company, owned by multi-billionaire Elon Musk, has received a list of 63 points from regulator FAA that need to be adjusted. In the previous test the rocket had exploded.
SpaceX hopes to build a reusable rocket that will enable manned missions to Mars, among other things. In April, the first test took place in which the entire rocket, consisting of the Starship capsule and the Super Heavy launch vehicle, took to the air. The test with the 120-meter-high colossus ended after less than four minutes in an explosion and a destroyed launch platform.
The explosion had ‘several root causes’, regulator FAA reported on Friday. The rocket leaked, a safety self-destruct system did not work well enough and the launch pad was completely pulverized and turned into a crater by the enormous forces released during the launch. It’s now up to SpaceX to convince the FAA that that won’t happen again.
SpaceX must, among other things, take measures to prevent fuel leakage and fire from occurring again, such as during the test flight in April. All proposed improvements must be made to obtain a modified FAA license. If this does not happen, the Starship may not be launched.
SpaceX reported on its website on Friday that many adjustments have already been made to the rocket. “Numerous lessons” were learned from the April test and “several upgrades” were made to both the rocket and the launch site. Whether the adjustments SpaceX has now made are enough for the FAA to issue a new permit remains to be seen.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.