Starship grounded after SpaceX ‘mishap’ during latest launch
The FAA declared a mishap after SpaceX’s Starship rocket launch on May 22, grounding further flights until an investigation confirms no public safety risks. The incident involved the Super Heavy booster’s uncontrolled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, where only one of its 33 engines ignited, leading to a hard water impact.
SpaceX’s Starship rocket has been grounded after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classified its May 22 test flight as a mishap. The incident occurred during the Super Heavy booster’s splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, where only one of its 33 engines reignited, causing the rocket to strike the water with excessive force. The FAA’s determination follows a review of the flight, which saw the rocket lift off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas before the second stage completed a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean. The agency stated that any return to flight depends on confirming that no systems related to the mishap pose public safety risks. Starship, the world’s largest rocket at over 124 meters tall when fully stacked, is a critical component of NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon by 2028. Delays in Starship’s development have already pushed back NASA’s crewed lunar mission, originally planned for 2024. The investigation will assess corrective actions before SpaceX can attempt another launch. Elon Musk has previously described Starship’s technology as ‘alien-level’ in complexity, highlighting the challenges of its development. NASA’s Artemis timeline now hinges on Starship’s readiness, with the first crewed Moon landing now targeted for 2028. The FAA’s oversight remains a key factor in determining when Starship can resume flights.
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