FAA just Declared Starship Flight 9 will Unlike any Others while SpaceX Employees Say Morale is Bad

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 9 is rapidly approaching its critical launch window, marking a pivotal moment in the history of modern space exploration. While Elon Musk’s space enterprise continues to break technological barriers, there’s an alarming undercurrent: morale at SpaceX, particularly at Starbase, may be reaching a breaking point.

In this blog post, we’ll break down two key themes:

The latest updates about Starship Flight 9, including new FAA developments and launch delays
The growing concerns about employee well-being and workplace culture within SpaceX

Let’s dive in.

Starship Flight 9: The Launch Date Is Nearly Here

A New Launch Window Announced

According to the latest NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) and hazard zone updates, the anticipated launch date for Starship Flight 9 is now May 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. CDT / 11:30 p.m. UTC. This represents a minor shift from the previously expected May 21–22 dates.

Why the delay?

Memorial Day air traffic made a May 27 launch more feasible from a logistical standpoint
FAA safety requirements tied to the Flight 8 mishap are still being finalized
SpaceX is using the additional time to conduct final reviews on hardware, including booster and engine inspections

This delay, while frustrating to some fans, is not a setback. It’s strategic. It reflects SpaceX’s methodical approach toward flight safety, reusability, and regulatory compliance

FAA Greenlights Major Advancements for Flight 9

Key Developments from the FAA

Two monumental decisions have come out of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that underscore the significance of Flight 9:

Annual Starship Launch Limit Increased
The FAA has raised the annual limit for Starship launches at Boca Chica from 5 to 25 launches per year. This illustrates a strong vote of confidence in SpaceX’s capabilities and growth potential.
First-Ever Reuse of a Superheavy Booster Approved
Booster 14, previously used in earlier test flights, will be reused—a historic move for the Starship program. However, this reuse required a new flight safety analysis and the expansion of hazard zones in both air and sea traffic.

What Makes Flight 9 So Unique?

Unlike Flight 8, Flight 9 will not include a landing attempt for the Superheavy booster. The revised FAA license no longer references a Gulf of Mexico landing. Instead, it designates recovery areas in the Gulf of America and the Indian Ocean.

This adaptation shows SpaceX’s ability to stay agile while working toward the long-term goal of full vehicle reusability, a cornerstone of Elon Musk’s vision for interplanetary travel.

The Flight 8 Investigation Still Looms

Even though SpaceX submitted the Flight 8 mishap report on May 14, the FAA is still reviewing the case, and a final return-to-flight decision is pending.

This decision is the last regulatory hurdle before the green light for Starship Flight 9 can be given.

Hardware Preparations in Full Swing

While the FAA review continues, SpaceX is not idle. Key updates include:

A Raptor engine was seen removed from Mega Bay 2, where Ship 35 (S35) is housed, sparking speculation of an engine issue
Ship 36 (S36) completed cryo testing recently, and parts may be interchanged
Booster 14 has been moved back to the production site, possibly for additional inspection or repairs

This pattern is not unusual. SpaceX’s rapid iterative development model allows them to continue prepping even amid investigations, helping maintain their aggressive launch cadence.

Momentum is Building for the Rest of 2025

The FAA’s green light for 25 launches per year offers a window of opportunity. Although achieving all 25 in 2025 may be unrealistic, this approval builds strong momentum for 2026.

With Flight 9 poised to be the first reused Superheavy booster mission, the path to routine reusability and cost reduction is becoming more tangible.

But Not Everything Is Launching Perfectly: Employee Morale Concerns Surface

Cracks Beneath the Surface

Despite these advances, an internal struggle is brewing: SpaceX employees are burning out. Reports from inside Starbase, located in Boca Chica, Texas, suggest:

High-pressure culture
Long work hours without notice
Lack of appreciation
Leadership disconnect

This isn’t new in Silicon Valley or in high-tech industries. But it’s particularly alarming for a company that’s aiming to colonize Mars.

The Viral Post That Sparked a Conversation

One post captured this internal friction like no other.

Dylan Small, a Starship research and development engineer, shared a deeply emotional message directed at Elon Musk. He praised the hard-working welders, engineers, and support staff, while also noting that the team’s morale was slipping.

“We used to be driven by purpose. Now, it feels like we’re driven by pressure.” – Dylan Small

His plea for Musk to return to Starbase and physically reconnect with the workforce resonated with current and former SpaceX employees. The post went viral across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Glassdoor, triggering public scrutiny.

A Shift in Elon Musk’s Leadership Style?

In SpaceX’s early days, Elon Musk was a hands-on leader, often seen on the factory floor, motivating his team and actively participating in problem-solving.

But today, with Musk’s attention split between Tesla, X, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, his presence at Starbase has become scarce.

To a team that thrived on that physical leadership, this feels like a disconnection from the mission’s heart.

Cultural Challenges at Starbase

Here are some recurring themes from recent employee reports:

1. Burnout From Long Hours

SpaceX is known for its intense work ethic, but this often comes at a cost. Frequent extended shifts with little advance notice have left many employees physically and mentally drained.

2. Pressure From Repeated Failures

Rapid iteration is a hallmark of Starship development. But explosions and failed tests, while expected, are deeply disheartening for teams that pour months of work into each prototype.

3. Lack of Appreciation

Employees say their contributions often feel lost in the chase for milestones. The absence of frequent, visible leadership makes it worse.

4. Disconnect With Leadership Vision

Musk’s public communication on platforms like X is seen by some employees as being out of sync with the daily grind at Starbase. Workers are looking for authentic, face-to-face engagement.

SpaceX Plans an All-Hands Talk to Address Concerns

In a potential response to Dylan Small’s viral post, SpaceX has scheduled an all-hands meeting at Starbase. Musk is expected to address morale issues, lay out the Mars strategy, and reaffirm the company’s mission and culture.

What Employees Hope to Hear

Acknowledgement of sacrifices
Improved work-life balance
Supportive leadership presence
A tangible reminder of the Mars mission

Musk is known for his powerful oratory. If he uses this opportunity well, it could reignite the spark that once defined the Starbase team.

Can SpaceX Sustain Its Momentum Without Burning Out?

As the Starship program evolves from test flights to more regular operations, SpaceX must confront a new frontier: sustainability—not just in rockets, but in people.

A space company can’t reach Mars without a dedicated, healthy, and inspired workforce.

The coming months will show whether SpaceX can balance its relentless pace with employee well-being, or if its human capital will become the real limiting factor.

Rocket Lab Joins the Conversation: NASA Picks Electron for 2026 Mission

NASA Selects Rocket Lab for Aspera Mission

The Aspera mission will launch no earlier than Q1 2026 aboard an Electron rocket from New Zealand
The project is part of NASA’s Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) contract
Aspera is led by Carlos Vargas, a University of Arizona astrophysicist

This mission aims to study intergalactic gas, and it’s one of four Pioneers-class missions that NASA greenlit in 2021.

Rocket Lab has steadily built a track record of reliable, low-cost launches, and the Electron rocket’s agility makes it ideal for such small-sat missions.

Final Thoughts

Starship Flight 9 is shaping up to be a watershed moment—technologically groundbreaking and symbolically vital. The reuse of a Superheavy booster marks a huge leap toward space sustainability.

But as SpaceX reaches for the stars, it must not ignore the human element. Without a motivated and supported workforce, even the most advanced rocket can’t fly.

Stay tuned for more updates as SpaceX prepares for launch, the FAA finalizes its decisions, and the company confronts both its external mission and internal challenges.

FAQs

1. When is the launch date for Starship Flight 9?

The tentative launch date for Starship Flight 9 is May 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. CDT / 11:30 p.m. UTC, pending final FAA approval.

2. Why was Starship Flight 9 delayed?

The delay is due to increased air traffic over Memorial Day, ongoing FAA reviews of Flight 8’s mishap, and final hardware checks by SpaceX.

3. What makes Starship Flight 9 different from previous flights?

Flight 9 is the first Starship mission to reuse a Superheavy booster (Booster 14), and it will not include a booster landing attempt, making it a pivotal test for future reusability.

4. Has the FAA approved the Starship Flight 9 launch?

The FAA has approved license modifications for Flight 9 but has not yet issued a final launch authorization due to the ongoing investigation into Flight 8.

5. How many Starship launches per year is SpaceX now allowed to conduct?

The FAA has increased SpaceX’s limit to 25 launches per year from the Boca Chica site, up from the previous cap of 5.

6. What is the status of Booster 14 and Ship 35?

Booster 14 is undergoing inspections and may require minor repairs. Ship 35 has had a Raptor engine removed, but it is unclear whether it was due to an issue or part of a routine swap.

7. Will Starship Flight 9 attempt a booster landing?

No, Flight 9’s FAA license does not include a booster landing attempt, unlike Flight 8 which aimed for a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

8. What is the cause of low employee morale at SpaceX?

Reports cite long hours, high-pressure expectations, burnout, and a disconnect from leadership, especially Elon Musk’s reduced physical presence at Starbase.

9. Who is Dylan Small and why is his post significant?

Dylan Small is a Starship R&D engineer whose emotional post about declining morale and a plea for Musk’s leadership went viral and sparked broader conversations about SpaceX’s workplace culture.

10. How is Elon Musk addressing morale issues at SpaceX?

Musk has reportedly scheduled an all-hands talk at Starbase to address both morale concerns and the Mars strategy, aiming to reconnect with the workforce.

11. Is burnout common among SpaceX employees?

Yes, according to reports from current and former employees, burnout is widespread, with many citing frequent extended shifts and emotional fatigue from project failures.

12. How does SpaceX handle setbacks like test failures?

SpaceX uses a rapid iteration model where test failures are expected and incorporated into future design improvements. However, this approach can be mentally taxing for teams.

13. What is the FAA’s role in SpaceX’s Starship program?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides regulatory oversight, including launch licensing, safety assessments, and post-incident investigations like the one for Flight 8.

14. What’s next for the Starship program after Flight 9?

If successful, Flight 9 will pave the way for more frequent launches, further booster reusability testing, and eventually crewed missions and cargo deployment to orbit or beyond.

15. What other space companies are making headlines besides SpaceX?

Rocket Lab was recently awarded a NASA contract to launch the Aspera mission in 2026 aboard its Electron rocket, continuing its success in the small satellite launch market.