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SpaceX’s first high-altitude test flight of its Starship rocket, which exploded last month while trying to land after an otherwise successful test launch, violated the terms of its Administration test license. Federal Aviation, reported Friday Virgin, citing sources.
That week an investigation was opened focusing on the explosive landing and SpaceX’s refusal to comply with the terms of what the FAA authorized, the Virgin said.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on a supply mission to the International Space Station takes off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Sunday, December 6, 2020. (Photo AP / John Raoux)
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The Starship rocket destroyed in the crash was a 16-story prototype for the heavy launch vehicle that was being developed by billionaire businessman Elon Musk’s private space company to transport humans and 100 tons of cargo on future missions to the moon. and Mars.
The self-propelled rocket exploded when it hit a landing pad after a controlled descent. The test flight was destined to reach an altitude of 41,000 feet, powered by three of SpaceX’s newly developed Raptor engines for the first time.
But the company did not make it clear if the rocket had flown so high.
Artist concept of the SpaceX spacecraft on the surface of the Moon. (SpaceX via NASA)
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The FAA said it would evaluate the additional information provided by SpaceX as part of its application to modify its launch license.
“We will approve the amendment only after we are satisfied that SpaceX has taken the necessary steps to comply with regulatory requirements,” it said in a statement.