FAA officially Approved Starship Flight 9 Modifications But Something Weird Happening

The space industry has been filled with unpredictable twists and turns lately. With the FAA’s recent updates on the Starship Flight 8 investigation and Flight 9 modifications, it’s clear that SpaceX still has a lot of work to do. Meanwhile, hardware progress has taken some unexpected turns. So, will the launch stay on schedule?

The Current Status of SpaceX’s Starship Program

May 2025 is shaping up to be a crucial period for Starship, SpaceX’s ambitious program that aims to revolutionize space exploration. Over the last few weeks, various updates from key agencies have hinted that this time frame is important. With the latest update from Elon Musk, the picture is becoming even clearer. However, despite Musk’s insights, the final word still lies with the FAA and SpaceX. Until they provide definitive confirmation, the actual launch date remains uncertain.

Fortunately, after a long stretch of silence, the FAA has finally issued a much-anticipated update—and it’s a big one. This announcement contains two significant developments that could greatly impact Starship’s future, both in the short-term and long-term.

1. FAA Approves License Modifications for Starship Flight 9

The first major point is highly encouraging. The FAA has approved license modifications for the upcoming Starship Flight 9 mission. According to the FAA, this modification includes the green light to increase the number of Starship launches at Boca Chica, Texas from 5 to as many as 25 per year. This is a massive step forward for SpaceX, not just for this mission, but for the overall Starship program.

How Does This Affect Starship’s Future?

This approval means that SpaceX can now move ahead with planned innovations for Flight 9. The FAA clarified that for the Starship Flight 9 mission, it is expanding the size of aircraft and maritime hazard areas both in the US and internationally. This expansion is a direct result of the FAA’s requirement for SpaceX to revise the flight safety analysis after the prior launch mishap. Since SpaceX plans to reuse a previously launched Superheavy booster rocket for the first time, this marks a huge milestone.

Flight 9 will mark the first attempt to fly a reused Superheavy booster, specifically B14. This is a major achievement because Starship’s long-term success hinges on full reusability. Therefore, this flight represents a pivotal step toward achieving that goal.

2. FAA’s Growing Confidence in SpaceX’s Capabilities

Looking further ahead, the approval for up to 25 launches per year indicates the FAA’s growing confidence in SpaceX’s capabilities. While it’s unlikely that SpaceX will reach that maximum number in 2025 (since nearly half of the year is already gone), they are clearly on a trajectory to ramp up. If three or more Starship launches happen in the remaining months of 2025, it will set the stage for a more aggressive pace in 2026.

SpaceX’s Track Record of Resilience

SpaceX has shown a unique ability to keep launching, even during mishap investigations. Unlike many other aerospace companies, SpaceX tends to move quickly, make adjustments, and resume operations without long delays. This flexibility will be crucial as they aim for their ambitious flight cadence.

This future momentum will begin with Flight 9—but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

3. FAA’s Role in Flight 9’s Launch: Investigation and Approval Still Pending

The FAA has made it clear that no launch will happen until the Flight 8 mishap investigation is officially closed or they issue a return-to-flight determination. This is important because SpaceX must submit the mishap report to the FAA. On May 14th, SpaceX finally submitted the required report, which had previously been delayed. The FAA’s review is still in its early stages.

Until the agency finishes evaluating the report, the Flight 9 launch remains on hold. While this may seem like a setback, there is reason to be optimistic. The FAA’s turnaround time has improved significantly since late 2024. If the review is completed in a matter of days, Flight 9 hardware could roll out to the pad, and everything could align for a timely launch.

However, the actual launch date remains hard to pin down. A clearer picture is starting to emerge, but everything still depends on the FAA’s final decision.

Adjustments to Starship Flight 9 Launch Timeline

The Starship Flight 9 launch timeline has undergone multiple adjustments. Originally planned for May 19th, the launch date has now been tentatively pushed to the 20th or 21st. However, even these new dates may not be final. According to the FAA’s space operations announcement, the primary launch target is now the afternoon of May 22nd (local time), which would be early May 23rd for observers in the Indian Ocean region.

SpaceX’s Launch Window and the Memorial Day Holiday

What adds to the uncertainty is the approaching US Memorial Day holiday, which falls on May 26th this year. Memorial Day is a major observance in the US, and many operations across the country come to a standstill in recognition of the holiday. For SpaceX, this means that if the launch doesn’t occur between May 22nd to 25th, it may need to be postponed until after the holiday.

The tight window means that timing is critical. Given the incremental delays, confidence in the current readiness levels is beginning to raise eyebrows.

SpaceX Hardware and Potential Setbacks

In addition to scheduling issues, some unusual activity is being observed with Starship’s hardware preparations. A recent image captured what appears to be a Raptor engine being removed from Meabay 2, where Ship 35 is housed. This has sparked speculation that Ship 35 could be experiencing engine trouble, possibly requiring a swap or repair. However, it’s important to remember that nothing has been confirmed yet.

Alternatively, the engine being removed might not even belong to Ship 35. Another ship, S36, has just completed cryogenic testing and is undergoing engine installation. If any issues arose during that process, this could explain the engine’s removal.

B14’s Mysterious Movements

As for B14, things are also somewhat unclear. Recent road closures in mid-May (from May 15th to 18th) indicated that there might be a planned movement from the pad to the factory. B14, the only major prototype that fits this movement profile, might have encountered a problem and requires inspection or repair.

However, it’s also possible that the road closure descriptions were mistaken. In fact, this has happened before. Previous schedules misidentified the direction of movement—so it’s possible that S35 is being moved from the factory to the launch pad.

Will Starship Flight 9 Launch Soon?

Despite the numerous moving parts—including FAA approvals, road closures, hardware logistics, and scheduling conflicts—the Starship Flight 9 timeline remains fluid. While nothing is guaranteed, there’s still hope that SpaceX will pull off the launch before the month’s end.

Do you think Flight 9 will launch this month or even next week, as Elon Musk recently hinted? Drop a yes or no in the comments, and don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to stay updated on SpaceX’s incredible journey to space!

Axiom 4: Another Mission Delay

What’s Happening with Axiom 4?

In other news, Axiom 4, a crucial mission with NASA, has also faced a delay. Initially planned for May 29th, NASA officially announced on May 14th that the launch is now rescheduled for June 8th at 9:11 a.m. Eastern Time. This provides the teams with more time to finalize mission details and ensure everything is ready for liftoff.

Axiom 4 is a notable mission because it marks the fourth mission in a series between NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, using the reliable Crew Dragon spacecraft. What makes this mission stand out is the international crew composition, with four astronauts from four different countries.

Final Preparations and Mission Details

The Axiom 4 crew has completed all necessary training. SpaceX is focused on final preparations, including rolling out the spacecraft and performing pre-launch testing to ensure mission success and crew safety. This delay offers the teams crucial time to refine the mission’s logistics.

Other SpaceX Mission Delays

Besides Axiom 4, NASA also announced delays for two other important missions:

Crew 11, a crewed mission, has been rescheduled for late July.
CRS-32, a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, is now scheduled for late August.

These adjustments underscore the coordination required between multiple missions, spacecraft readiness, and logistics.

Gilmore Space Technologies: Aerys Rocket Delay

Moving to the Southern Hemisphere, Gilmore Space Technologies in Australia has also encountered a delay. The Aerys rocket, which is poised to become Australia’s first orbital launch vehicle, was originally targeted for May 15th. However, an unexpected issue with the rocket’s payload fairing caused the mission to be postponed.

Gilmore Space has reassured the public that no fuel was loaded, and thankfully, no one was hurt. The company is currently investigating the issue and working on a replacement payload fairing. Once the problem is resolved, the new date for the test flight will be announced.

Gilmore Space’s Mission for Sovereign Launch Capability

Founded in 2015 by brothers Adam and James Gilmore, the company’s mission is to enable sovereign launch capabilities for Australia. This means creating more high-tech jobs, increasing national security, and fostering economic growth. If all goes well, the Aerys rocket could make its debut flight soon, and Australia will join the ranks of nations capable of launching rockets from their own soil.

Conclusion: The Future of Space Exploration Is Bright

Despite these delays, the progress being made by both Axiom Space and Gilmore Space Technologies is impressive. These missions are not just about individual launches—they represent significant steps forward in expanding global participation in space exploration.

Let’s continue to watch as these ambitious missions evolve and reach their historic milestones. Remember, curiosity, imagination, and inspiration will always follow you as long as you keep looking up.

FAQs

1. What is Starship Flight 9?

Starship Flight 9 is an upcoming mission by SpaceX that will be a crucial step in testing the Starship spacecraft and Superheavy booster. The flight will mark the first time SpaceX attempts to reuse a Superheavy booster rocket, specifically B14.

2. What changes did the FAA make to SpaceX’s Starship program?

The FAA has approved modifications for Flight 9, including increasing the number of Starship launches at Boca Chica from five to up to 25 per year. This approval signals growing confidence in SpaceX’s capabilities.

3. Why is Flight 9 important for SpaceX’s future?

Flight 9 is important because it represents the first attempt to fly a reused Superheavy booster, which is key to achieving full reusability for Starship, a critical element for long-term success in space exploration.

4. Will Flight 9 launch in May 2025?

The launch of Flight 9 was initially scheduled for May 19th, but it has been delayed. It is now tentatively rescheduled for May 22nd or 23rd, with a final available window extending to June 1st.

5. What is the FAA’s role in the Flight 9 launch?

The FAA oversees safety and regulatory compliance for space launches. The agency must complete its review of the Flight 8 mishap investigation and provide a return-to-flight determination before Flight 9 can proceed.

6. Why was Axiom 4 delayed?

Axiom 4, a mission between NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, was postponed from May 29th to June 8th to provide more time for final mission preparations, spacecraft readiness, and logistics.

7. What makes the Axiom 4 mission special?

Axiom 4 is unique because it has an international crew of astronauts representing four different countries, highlighting the growing emphasis on global cooperation in space exploration.

8. When is the new launch date for Axiom 4?

The Axiom 4 launch has been rescheduled for June 8th at 9:11 AM Eastern Time.

9. What other SpaceX missions have been delayed?

Apart from Axiom 4, NASA’s Crew 11 mission has been postponed to late July, and CRS-32 (a cargo resupply mission to the ISS) is now scheduled for late August.

10. What is the Aerys rocket and why is it important?

The Aerys rocket is Australia’s first orbital launch vehicle, developed by Gilmore Space Technologies. Its launch is a significant step for Australia’s space capabilities, helping them achieve sovereign launch capabilities and economic growth.

11. Why was the Aerys rocket launch delayed?

The Aerys rocket was delayed due to an unexpected issue with its payload fairing during final checks. However, no damage was done, and the company is working to resolve the issue before announcing a new launch date.

12. What are the primary objectives of the Aerys rocket debut flight?

For its debut flight, Gilmore Space aims to achieve liftoff, survive max Q (the point of maximum aerodynamic pressure), and collect valuable data to refine future missions, rather than attempting flawless orbital insertion.

13. What is the role of SpaceX in the Axiom 4 mission?

SpaceX is responsible for launching the Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Axiom 4 mission. The spacecraft will transport astronauts to the International Space Station as part of the commercial spaceflight initiative.

14. What is max Q in rocket launches?

Max Q refers to the point of maximum aerodynamic pressure on a rocket during its ascent. It’s a crucial milestone for rocket performance, as it indicates the highest level of stress the vehicle will experience during its flight.

15. How does SpaceX maintain flexibility despite delays?

SpaceX has shown a unique ability to resume operations quickly after setbacks. The company adapts fast, makes adjustments as needed, and continues launching, often without long delays, which is key to their long-term success in the space industry.