Here we go! After much anticipation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially approved the launch of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 9, along with several other key decisions that mark a significant milestone for the aerospace industry. The countdown has officially begun for one of the most highly anticipated space missions of the year.

Meanwhile, in orbit, the undocking of Cargo Dragon has been slightly delayed. On the other side of the world, China has just launched a private mission from a sea-based platform, adding even more excitement to the global space race.

Let’s dive into all the thrilling details on today’s episode of Great SpaceX!

Starship Flight 9: The Center of Aerospace Attention

Flight 9 has become the focal point of the aerospace world, but the path leading up to this milestone hasn’t been easy. Its success hinges on two critical factors: SpaceX’s preparation progress and the decision from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Thankfully, one of these major hurdles has now been cleared.

FAA Approves Starship Flight 9

In a major breakthrough, the FAA officially approved the license for Flight 9. The agency stated:

“The FAA conducted a comprehensive safety review of the SpaceX Starship Flight 8 mishap and determined that the company has satisfactorily addressed the causes of the mishap and therefore the Starship vehicle can return to flight.”

The FAA confirmed that SpaceX must implement all corrective actions moving forward. With this clearance, Starship Flight 9 is authorized for launch and SpaceX meets all rigorous safety, environmental, and licensing requirements.

This approval concludes a nearly two-and-a-half-month review process between SpaceX and the FAA following the anomalies observed during Flight 8.

A Remarkably Quick Review Process

Just days earlier, on May 15th, the FAA had approved a license modification allowing SpaceX to launch up to 25 Starship launches annually from Starbase, Texas. However, the investigation into the Flight 8 mishap was still ongoing since SpaceX had submitted its final report only on May 14th.

Most experts expected the FAA’s review to take several more days or even weeks. Yet, in an impressive turnaround, the FAA completed the review within just one week. This rapid decision underscores the FAA’s efficiency and SpaceX’s ability to meet safety and technical standards quickly and thoroughly.

Instead of waiting for the full closure of the Flight 8 investigation, the FAA has chosen to let SpaceX proceed under the current licensing framework, while the investigation continues.

FAA’s Confidence in SpaceX’s Corrective Measures

It’s important to note that the issues with Flight 8 were largely similar to those faced during Flight 7. Thankfully, neither incident caused injuries or property damage. SpaceX’s corrective actions appear to have reassured the FAA, showing strong confidence in the company’s commitment to safety.

Expanding the Future of Starship

The FAA’s approval is not just about Flight 9. It signals a broader paving of the way for a more active Starship future, including authorizing multiple launches per year and expanding the hazard zones for Flight 9 and future missions.

The agency is increasing hazard areas in the US and internationally based on updated flight safety analyses. This is especially important because SpaceX plans to reuse a previously launched Superheavy booster rocket for the first time on Flight 9.

Expanded Hazard Zones: What Does This Mean?

The FAA has released detailed updates about Flight 9’s hazard zones, also known as Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHA). The new AHA will stretch to an astonishing 1600 nautical miles, covering an area that extends east from Starbase, Texas, through the Straits of Florida, and parts of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This is a significant increase compared to Flight 8’s 885 nautical mile range, indicating broader safety margins for Flight 9.

Scheduling and Air Traffic Management

To minimize disruption for air traffic, both domestic and international, launches will be scheduled during non-peak transit hours. This scheduling flexibility allows SpaceX to explore ambitious test objectives, push Starship to its maximum capabilities, potentially splash down the booster farther downrange, and open the door for landing on drone ships.

This new approval removes all legal and regulatory barriers, with FAA licensing now behind SpaceX, allowing the company to focus fully on launch preparations.

Progress and Challenges in Launch Preparation

Despite the FAA’s green light, SpaceX’s launch preparation progress has been somewhat unpredictable.

Booster 14 (B14) Moves Back to Production

On May 16th, Booster 14, which had just been moved to the launchpad, was unexpectedly sent back to the production site. This likely indicates a technical issue requiring repair before final launch integration.

Ship 35 (S35) Engine Testing

Ship 35 has undergone a demanding testing campaign:

Initial static fire tests revealed engine problems
Multiple repairs and engine replacements took place
The vehicle moved to the Massie test site for further trials

The series of tests, including a spin prime test, indicated some ongoing concerns regarding engine reliability. Additional static fires may still be necessary to verify engine performance before launch.

Infrastructure Upgrades Support Flight 9

SpaceX has also been upgrading support infrastructure:

On May 21st, Pad A’s deluge system received 20 new water tanks, doubling its capacity to 40 tanks
This system is crucial for suppressing heat and sound during liftoff and is now fully ready for Flight 9

Upcoming Schedule and Launch Date

Current reports suggest a possible launch no earlier than May 27th. For this to happen:

Ship 35 and Booster 14 need to move back to the pad by May 25th
May 26th is Memorial Day, which may cause work pauses

If the launch is pushed back, May 30th is also a strong candidate.

Cargo Dragon Update: CRS-32 Mission Preparing for Return

While all eyes are on Starship Flight 9, another critical mission is unfolding in orbit.

Delayed Undocking from ISS

The Cargo Dragon spacecraft from the CRS-32 mission (NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services program) is preparing to return to Earth. Originally scheduled to undock on May 22nd, the maneuver was delayed by one day due to unfavorable weather near the recovery zone.

The new undocking time is set for 12:05 PM EDT on May 23rd, with splashdown expected early on May 25th off the coast of California.

Why the West Coast?

Choosing the Pacific Ocean for splashdown minimizes risks related to orbital debris and ensures a safer, cleaner return corridor.

Mission Achievements

The CRS-32 mission:

Launched on April 21st
Delivered approximately 6700 lbs (3040 kg) of food, hardware, and science experiments to the ISS
Is returning valuable cargo, including external material samples from NASA’s MISSE-20 experiment, an AstroBee free-flying robot, and various experiment samples

Unlike other cargo spacecraft (e.g., Russia’s Progress or Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus), Cargo Dragon can return cargo intact, making it invaluable for bringing back critical research.

Looking Forward: Upcoming Human Spaceflights

After CRS-32, the spotlight shifts to upcoming human spaceflights, including:

Axiom 4 mission
NASA’s Crew-11 mission

These missions continue to build on SpaceX’s pivotal role in human spaceflight.

China’s Sea-Based Launch: Galactic Energy’s Saras 1

On May 19th, China launched a private mission from a sea-based platform, marking another exciting development in the global space race.

Saras 1 Rocket Launch

Lift-off at 3:38 AM Eastern from a converted barge in the Yellow Sea
Operated by the private Chinese company Galactic Energy
Successfully deployed four satellites (Tiani 34 through 37) for a narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) constellation

Tiani Constellation Goals

Managed by Beijing-based Guian Gau, the constellation aims to offer global IoT coverage, especially in remote and underserved regions.

Saras 1 Rocket Performance

Fifth sea-based launch for Saras 1
20th overall mission for the vehicle
10 consecutive successes following a single earlier failure
About 20 meters tall, capable of carrying up to 400 kg to Low Earth Orbit

Looking Ahead: Saras 2 Rocket

Galactic Energy plans to debut the larger Saras 2 rocket, which can lift:

1,600 kg to a 500 km LEO
1,300 kg to a sun-synchronous orbit

This is a significant step forward for China’s commercial launch capabilities.

China’s 2025 Launch Campaign

China has completed six launches in May alone, reaching a total of 29 launches so far this year. Though it’s behind its goal of 100 launches in 2024, China is clearly accelerating efforts to meet and exceed targets.

Sea-based launches are becoming central to this strategy, improving safety by reducing risks to populated areas.

Conclusion: The New Chapter in Space Exploration

From Starship Flight 9 poised for liftoff at Starbase, to Cargo Dragon preparing for splashdown, and China’s groundbreaking sea-based launches, the future of spaceflight is unfolding right before our eyes.

Key Takeaways:

FAA’s approval of Flight 9 clears major regulatory hurdles
SpaceX is pushing technical limits with Ship 35 and Booster 14
Cargo Dragon’s return continues to support critical ISS research
China’s Galactic Energy is expanding commercial sea-based launch capabilities

The global space race is heating up — with bold new technologies and ambitious missions shaping a future where space travel is more frequent, safer, and more accessible than ever before.

FAQs

1. What is Starship Flight 9, and why is it important?
Starship Flight 9 is SpaceX’s upcoming orbital mission for their Starship vehicle. It’s important because it represents a critical step forward in testing SpaceX’s fully reusable spacecraft designed for deep space missions.

2. Has the FAA approved the launch of Starship Flight 9?
Yes, the FAA has officially approved the launch license for Starship Flight 9 after a comprehensive safety review following the Flight 8 mishap.

3. What safety concerns did the FAA review before approval?
The FAA reviewed the causes of the Flight 8 mishap, ensuring that SpaceX addressed all safety and technical issues satisfactorily before allowing Flight 9 to proceed.

4. What is unique about Flight 9 compared to previous flights?
Flight 9 will use a previously flown Superheavy booster for the first time, marking a milestone in SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology.

5. Why has the Cargo Dragon undocking been delayed?
The undocking was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions near the recovery zone, which prompted NASA and SpaceX to postpone the maneuver for safety.

6. Where will Cargo Dragon splash down after the CRS-32 mission?
Cargo Dragon will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California to minimize orbital debris risks and ensure a safer recovery.

7. What cargo is Cargo Dragon bringing back from the ISS?
It’s returning critical science experiments, external material samples, a free-flying robot, and other experiment samples as well as non-recyclable waste.

8. What is the significance of China’s sea-based Saras 1 rocket launch?
China’s Saras 1 launch from a sea platform marks a growing commercial space capability, expanding China’s ability to launch satellites safely from offshore locations.

9. What satellites were deployed during the Saras 1 mission?
The mission deployed four satellites (Tiani 34 to 37) for a narrowband IoT constellation aimed at providing global internet coverage, especially in remote areas.

10. How many Starship launches is SpaceX authorized to conduct annually?
The FAA approved a modification allowing SpaceX to conduct up to 25 Starship launches per year from Starbase.

11. What upgrades have been made to support Flight 9 at the launch site?
The launch pad’s deluge system was upgraded with 20 new water tanks to better suppress heat and sound during liftoff, now totaling 40 tanks.

12. When is the expected launch date for Starship Flight 9?
Current projections estimate a launch no earlier than May 27th, with May 30th also being a strong candidate date depending on final preparations.

FAA finally Gives Out Starship ORBITAL Flight 9 Approval But Ship 35