What Does SpaceX Have to Do to Get the Green Light From FAA for Its Starship Launches?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently unveiled the next steps for SpaceX following the first launch of their new and improved rocket, Starship V3. Unfortunately for the Elon Musk-owned space company, the FAA has now grounded the heavy-lift machine.

This is because the FAA has also ordered SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation on the Starship V3 after what transpired during its May 22 launch.

FAA Grounds Starship V3, No Flights For Now

The FAA released a new statement that addresses what will happen to the Starship program, particularly as it has recently undergone its much-awaited mission after receiving massive upgrades.

The regulator has decided that SpaceX and Starship V3 will conduct no flights for now as the private company behind it has been ordered to investigate and report on what happened.

According to CNET, the latest decision comes right around the time that SpaceX has filed for a potential initial public offering (IPO) for the company, which has been considered the largest-ever by analysts and publications.

Under this proposed IPO, SpaceX could be valued at around $1.75 trillion and make Elon Musk the first-ever trillionaire.

SpaceX to Investigate Mishap on Last Mission

The aviation regulator has ordered SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation on the recent Starship Flight 12 launch, and FAA said that this is required of companies to further enhance public safety, determine the root cause, and prevent said problems from happening again.

The FAA said that it has determined in its assessment of the latest mission that the latest Starship mission resulted in a mishap, which involved the Super Heavy booster rocket during its flight back to the surface and eventual splashdown in the Gulf of America.

What Happened on the Starship V3 Mission?

According to the FAA, the Starship V3's Super Heavy boosters fell into what it calls a "hazard area," which caused several delays in airports and flights.

The aviation authority also said that because of SpaceX's mishap, it caused five airborne delays, which meant that planes had to hold a specific pattern and fly around until things settled down.

It was revealed by the FAA that SpaceX needs to complete the investigation regarding what happened and to write a detailed report about it. This report is to be submitted to the agency for assessment.

What Does SpaceX Have to Do to Get the Green Light?

Given this, what should happen so that the Starship launches could be resumed by Space X?

First, the FAA must approve the report that SpaceX is being asked to send regarding the mishap that took place. The FAA will then give its recommendations based on the report.

SpaceX then has to apply the necessary actions in order to avoid the same mishap from happening again.

It is only when these two conditions are met that the FAA will give Musk's space company the green light to launch the Starship again.