Elon Musk says there’s a “good chance” SpaceX’s SN10 spacecraft will launch this week after the FAA closes investigation into SN9’s explosive test flight
- SpaceX could launch its Starship SN 10 prototype this week, Elon Musk said
- The firm was being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration
- The research examined the root cause of the SN9 prototype that exploded
- The agency found no danger, considering the SN10 was authorized for takeoff
- SN10 made the same high-altitude flight of six miles in the air
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed its investigation into SpaceX’s explosive Startship SN9 prototype that “paves the way for the SN10 test flight.”
The investigation focused on ensuring that operations were safe, which showed that the explosion did not endanger the public and the remains were in designated danger zones.
The FAA announcement means SpaceX can move forward with the launch of its latest prototype, which CEO Elon Musk says has “good chances of flying this week.”
Road closures around SpaceX facilities in Boca Chica, Texas, say space flight activities will be set for Feb. 22 from 9:00 GMT to 18:00 GMT, but it’s unclear whether the firm is conducting tests or whether the world will see SN10 catch its first six-kilometer flight.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed its investigation into the SpaceX Explosion Start9 SN9 prototype, which “paves the way for the SN10 test flight.” And Elon Musk says it could happen sometime this week
The FAA opened an investigation into SpaceX after the launch of its Starship SN9 on February 2, which ended with the rocket exploding into a ball of flames as it attempted to land.
SN9 took off around 3:24 pm ET on February 4 from SpaceX’s Boca Chica test facility.
The massive rocket hit the six-mile target about four minutes into flight and then successfully made an aerodynamic descent to its side as it fell to the ground.
However, the prototype was unable to maneuver into the upright position before landing on the launch pad, making it difficult for its ability to attach.
Road closures around the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas, state that space flight activities are scheduled for Feb. 22 from 9:00 GMT to 18:00 GMT, but it is unclear whether the firm is testing or if the world will see SN10 take its first six mile flight height
Elon Musk hinted on Twitter that SpaceX could launch the Starship SN10 this week
It landed with a deafening roar and exploded in bright orange flames and a cloud of dust, but the fire did not spread.
Following the launch, the FAA opened an investigation into the mishap to determine if SpaceX was following the protocols, specifically that no one or anything was endangered during the explosion.
“The FAA’s top priority in regulating commercial transportation of space is to ensure that operations are safe, even if there is an anomaly,” the federal agency told DailyMail.com in a statement.
FAA investigation into the exploited SN9 (pictured) focused on ensuring that operations were safe, which showed that the explosion did not endanger the public and that there were debris in the designated danger zones. .
“The FAA will oversee the investigation of the landing mishap involving the SpaceX Starship SN9 prototype in Boca Chica, Texas.”
“Although it was an unmanned test flight, the investigation will identify the root cause of the current mishap and possible opportunities to further improve safety as the program unfolds.”
Like many who watched the live broadcast, the FAA concluded that the failure occurred during the re-entry of the rocket.
“The SN9 vehicle has failed within the limits of the FAA safety analysis,” an FAA spokesman said CNN. “Its unsuccessful landing and explosion did not endanger the public or property.”
The announcement means the SN10 would launch from the test facility and attempt the iconic “belly flop” maneuver on the return trip, but hopefully the latest prototype can land unlike its predecessors.