FAA grounds SpaceX's Starship V3 megarocket after Flight 12 'mishap'
The FAA declared SpaceX's Starship V3 Flight 12 a mishap due to the Super Heavy booster's uncontrolled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, requiring an investigation before further flights. The upper stage succeeded in deploying Starlink satellites and surviving reentry, but the FAA will oversee SpaceX’s review of the incident before approving a return to flight.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded SpaceX’s Starship V3 megarocket after classifying its 12th test flight, conducted on May 22, as a mishap. The FAA cited the Super Heavy booster’s failure to perform the necessary engine burns for a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in a hard landing instead. During the flight, the upper-stage Starship successfully deployed 20 dummy Starlink satellites and two operational Starlinks equipped with cameras to test its heat shield. The upper stage also completed a controlled reentry and splashdown off Western Australia, meeting mission objectives. However, the Super Heavy booster’s uncontrolled descent prompted the FAA to halt further flights until an investigation is completed. The FAA will oversee SpaceX’s internal investigation, reviewing every step and approving any corrective actions before allowing Starship to return to flight. The agency emphasized that public safety is the priority, requiring SpaceX to demonstrate that no system, process, or procedure related to the mishap poses risks. Starship V3, standing at 408 feet tall, is designed for deep-space missions, including NASA’s Artemis 4 lunar landing planned for late 2028. The megarocket’s success hinges on full and rapid reusability, a key goal for SpaceX’s vision of affordable space exploration. The FAA’s grounding follows a rapid pace of testing, with SpaceX known for accelerating development cycles. The duration of the investigation remains unclear, but the FAA’s involvement suggests a thorough review. If corrective measures are implemented swiftly, SpaceX could resume flights sooner than expected. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether Starship V3 meets safety requirements for future missions, including those critical to NASA’s Artemis program.
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