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SpaceX and Blue Origin must investigate this week’s big rocket tests, FAA says
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has demanded that both SpaceX and Blue Origin conduct a “mishap investigation” following their respective rocket test flights earlier this week. According to the FAA, the investigations will be conducted jointly with the companies, aimed at understanding what went wrong, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective measures.
The demand follows an explosion during SpaceX’s seventh test-flight of its Starship rocket system in Boca Chica, Texas on Thursday. The incident led to the FAA slowing down or diverting some flights in nearby airspace due to low fuel levels caused by debris from the explosion.
SpaceX has attributed the malfunction to excessive gas buildup inside the ship as it ascended into space, resulting in an internal fire that ultimately destroyed the spacecraft. However, the FAA and SpaceX have already clashed over one aspect of the incident, with the regulator activating a “Debris Response Area” due to concerns over potential damage or injury caused by falling debris outside designated hazard zones.
The incident occurred just hours before Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. While the upper stage of the rocket successfully entered orbit, the booster exploded on its return journey, attempting an uncontrolled landing on a drone ship at sea.
In both cases, no injuries or damage to public property have been reported.
Source: techcrunch.com
