“Humanity will never go to Mars”: Elon Musk destroys FAA to delay SpaceX’s first Starship SN9 altitude test for safety reasons
- SpaceX was scheduled to launch its Starship SN9 rocket on Thursday, but it was canceled
- Elon Musk posted a tweet based on the FAA for its regulatory structure
- The tweet suggests that the FAA only allows a certain number of releases
- The FAA told DailyMail.com that it works with SpaceX to ensure security
SpaceX fans in the U.S. and around the world tuned in to see the company launch its prototype Starship Serial Number 9 (SN9) on Thursday for its first test flight, but the only one seen it was the massive rocket that was completely still on the launch pad.
Moments later, CEO Elon Musk attacked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Twitter for its rules on space launches, suggesting that SpaceX did not get the green light for the flight test.
“Unlike its aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure,” Musk wrote.
“Its rules are intended for a handful of expendable releases a year from some government facilities. According to these rules, humanity will never reach Mars.”
The FAA has remained silent as Musk airs his frustrations online, but the division told DailyMail.com: “We will continue to work with SpaceX to resolve outstanding security issues before approving the next test flight.”
Although the FAA has not stated this, the delay may be due to SpaceX’s previous test flight of its Starship SN8, which traveled about seven miles in the air and exploded on the launch pad on which Musk he called it “an impressive test.”
Regardless, SpaceX will need FAA approval before sending SN9 into the sky, but the firm announced it was expecting another attempt on Monday.
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CEO Elon Musk criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Twitter for its rules on space launches, a move that suggests SpaceX did not get the green light for the flight test.
Starship SN9 has been waiting all week on the launch pad for its first test flight that will make it shoot six miles in the air and perform an aerodynamic descent and a reversal maneuver, the same tricks performed by its predecessor SN8 in December .
On Thursday, SpaceX powered SN9 for the feat and moments later took the connection to the mission.
On Friday morning, the space crew began preparing for the jump and residents living around the test facility had evacuated the area, which is required during high-altitude testing.
An FAA spokesman told DailyMail.com by email: “The FAA will continue to work with SpaceX to evaluate the additional information provided by the company as part of its request to modify its launch license.
The FAA has remained silent as Elon Musk airs his frustrations online, but the division told DailyMail.com: “We will continue to work with SpaceX to resolve outstanding security issues before approving the next test flight.
SpaceX will need FAA approval before sending SN9 into the sky, but the firm announced it was expecting another attempt on Monday
“While we recognize the importance of moving quickly to foster growth and innovation in the retail space, the FAA will not compromise its responsibility to protect public safety.”
“We will approve the amendment only after we are confident that SpaceX has taken the necessary steps to meet regulatory requirements.”
SpaceX has been discussing the launch of the SN9 since early January, but it seems the mission is on hold until the firm and the FAA can reach an agreement, and Musk’s tweet may not have helped the cause. .
The FAA may have these concerns after the SN8 exploded on the launch pad in December.
The giant rocket left the Boca Chica, Texas test facility at 5:45 p.m. ET on Dec. 9, ignited the Raptor engines and fired into the sky to successfully reach its target. reach an elevation of 7.8 miles (41,000 feet).
The ascent of the prototype spacecraft took about six minutes before the engines stopped and the SN8 began its journey to the launch pad.
The world sat on the edge of their seats as the rocket approached the ground, wondering if Musk’s prediction of a crash landing would be correct.
When the SN8 finally touched, it ignited in flames and, once the fire and smoke were cleared, only a pile of debris was left topped by what was left of the ship’s nose cone.
Musk, however, considered the launch a success: he said the prototype, while destroyed, collected a wealth of data that would bring SpaceX one step further by sending humans to Mars aboard the rocket. .