The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially closed its investigation into the SpaceX Starship explosion, paving the way for Starship Flight 9 to potentially take off as early as next week in April. This milestone marks a significant turning point for SpaceX, following two previous setbacks with the Starship upper stage.
But what corrective actions has SpaceX taken to address the issues with Starship version 2? Let’s find out.
FAA Investigation Into Starship Explosions Concludes
The FAA’s investigation focused on the Starship Flight 7 incident, which ended in a dramatic explosion over the Atlantic Ocean. The final mishap report identified the root cause as stronger-than-anticipated vibrations during flight. This led to increased stress on the hardware in the propulsion system, causing failure.
SpaceX identified the anomaly as stemming from a propellant leak caused by a higher-than-expected harmonic response during the flight. With the FAA accepting SpaceX’s findings on March 31st, it effectively closed the investigation, bringing the company one step closer to launching Flight 9.
Although the Flight 8 investigation is still ongoing, it is expected to follow a similar pattern to Flight 7. In fact, the FAA granted a launch license for Flight 8 even while Flight 7’s investigation was still open. This suggests that Flight 9 could also proceed without waiting for Flight 8’s final report.
Predicted Starship Flight 9 Launch Date
Industry experts predict Starship Flight 9 could launch as early as April 20th—a date Elon Musk is particularly fond of.
How SpaceX Fixed Starship Issues for Flight 9
For SpaceX to launch Starship Flight 9, they had to address the issues found in Flight 7 and Flight 8. After Flight 7’s explosion, the FAA required SpaceX to implement 11 corrective actions to prevent similar failures.
SpaceX’s Corrective Actions for Starship Flight 9
- Propulsion System Reinforcement – Strengthened hardware in the Raptor engines to withstand excessive vibrations during ascent.
- Vibration Dampening Measures – Design modifications to reduce the impact of flight vibrations.
- Engine Stress Analysis Updates – Revised engineering models and stress tests to predict failures before they occur.
- Hardware Redesign for Durability – Improvements in propulsion components, including reinforced fittings and mounts.
- Improved Engine Control Algorithms – Software updates for better engine performance under high-vibration conditions.
- Enhanced Pre-Flight Testing – Expanded ground testing to simulate real-flight conditions before launch.
- Structural Integrity Enhancements – Reinforced upper-stage framework to prevent cascading failures.
- Telemetry System Improvements – Upgrades to flight computers to maintain control even in stress-induced anomalies.
- Re-Evaluation of Flight Dynamics – Adjustments to ascent profiles to minimize vibration-related risks.
- Safety System Refinements – Tweaks to the Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) to ensure faster anomaly detection.
- Component Quality Assurance – Stricter quality control for propulsion-related parts.
Ground Testing with Ship 35
Following the back-to-back losses of Ship 33 and Ship 34, SpaceX conducted extensive ground testing with Ship 35 at their Massie Test Site. By mid-March 2025, they completed three cryogenic proof tests to diagnose and resolve issues related to propellant line stability and engine reliability.
Possible Modifications for Flight 9:
- Reinforced propellant lines to prevent leaks.
- Improved insulation and cooling systems.
- Enhanced Raptor engine regenerative cooling to prevent burn-through.
Booster Upgrades and Infrastructure Improvements
Which Booster Will Fly on Starship Flight 9?
The booster for Starship Flight 9 could either be Booster 14 (reused from Flight 7) or the newer Booster 16.
SpaceX likely conducted static fire tests to confirm that all 33 Raptor engines are operating at full capacity, ensuring a smooth ascent phase.
Starbase Infrastructure Upgrades
Aside from fixing Starship’s in-flight issues, SpaceX is also working on:
- Pad B enhancements to support higher launch frequencies.
- Construction of a new Giga Bay to facilitate future Block 3 Starship designs.
- Boosting launch cadence for more frequent test flights.
Mission Goals for Starship Flight 9
Despite these advancements, SpaceX’s primary goal for Flight 9 remains:
- Achieving a stable ascent without hardware failures.
- Successfully landing Ship 35 in the ocean.
Until propulsion issues are fully resolved, ambitious goals like catching the upper stage using the launch tower will likely be postponed.
Will Starship Flight 9 Succeed?
Given SpaceX’s rapid development speed, there is optimism that Flight 9 will perform significantly better than its predecessors. However, unexpected challenges could still arise.
FAA Also Clears Blue Origin’s New Glenn for Launch
Interestingly, on the same day the FAA cleared SpaceX, it also issued a notice regarding Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.
New Glenn’s First Flight Investigation
The investigation into New Glenn’s January 16, 2025 launch concluded that:
- The upper stage reached orbit successfully.
- The first stage failed to restart its engines, preventing a successful landing.
Blue Origin has identified seven corrective actions focusing on propellant management and engine bleed control.
Next New Glenn Launch in Late Spring 2025
Blue Origin has announced its next launch for late Spring 2025, with another attempt to land the booster.
Final Thoughts: The Future of SpaceX’s Starship
With the FAA’s investigation closed, SpaceX is now cleared to move forward with Starship Flight 9. While challenges remain, the rapid improvements in Starship’s design and SpaceX’s iterative development approach make it likely that we will soon see a successful test flight.
Whether April 20th is the actual launch date or not, one thing is certain: SpaceX is on the brink of revolutionizing space travel.
FAQs
1. Why did the FAA investigate SpaceX’s Starship program?
The FAA launched an investigation after the explosion of Starship Flight 7 to determine the root cause of the failure and ensure future launches meet safety and regulatory standards.
2. What was the main cause of the Starship explosion?
According to the FAA’s findings, stronger-than-expected vibrations during flight led to excessive stress on the propulsion system, resulting in hardware failure and a catastrophic explosion.
3. What corrective actions has SpaceX taken for Flight 9?
SpaceX has implemented at least 11 corrective actions, including propulsion system reinforcement, vibration dampening measures, improved pre-flight testing, and software updates for better engine control.
4. When is Starship Flight 9 expected to launch?
Flight 9 could take off as early as mid-April 2025, with some speculation suggesting April 20th, a date Elon Musk has shown a preference for in the past.
5. Has SpaceX successfully fixed all previous Starship issues?
While SpaceX has addressed many of the key problems from Flight 7 and 8, the success of Flight 9 will determine whether the fixes are sufficient or if further improvements are needed.
6. What improvements were made to Starship’s engines?
SpaceX has likely strengthened the Raptor engines, optimized propellant line stability, and updated cooling systems to prevent overheating and leaks during ascent.
7. Will SpaceX attempt an upper-stage catch in Flight 9?
No, SpaceX is focusing on achieving a stable ascent and controlled water landing for Ship 35 before attempting an upper-stage catch in future missions.
8. How does this impact SpaceX’s long-term Starship plans?
A successful Flight 9 would mark a major milestone, paving the way for higher launch frequencies, future lunar and Mars missions, and eventual human-rated Starship flights.
Read More: