FAA clears SpaceX Starship's Flight 9 after Flight 8 explosion review
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted SpaceX approval to proceed with the ninth launch of its massive Starship rocket, following an extensive review of the explosive anomaly that occurred during its previous flight. On 22 May, the FAA confirmed that SpaceX had adequately addressed the issues from Flight 8, which ended in the destruction of the Starship's upper stage over the Atlantic Ocean in March. With corrective actions in place, SpaceX now has the green light to continue testing the world's most powerful and fully reusable rocket system.
What are increased safety measures for SpaceX Flight 9
As part of the authorisation, the FAA expanded the designated Aircraft Hazard Area (AHA) for Flight 9 to approximately 1,600 nautical miles. This zone now stretches eastward from the Texas launch site through the Straits of Florida and includes The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. For comparison, the AHA for Flight 8 covered around 885 nautical miles.
To minimise disruption to both domestic and international air traffic, the FAA stipulated that the upcoming launch must take place during non-peak transit hours. This requirement reflects the growing scale and complexity of Starship test operations.
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Flight 8 failure and investigation
The mishap on 6 March involved the upper stage of the Starship, simply known as 'Ship,' which exploded less than 10 minutes after lift-off. Debris from the 52-metre-tall vehicle fell into the Atlantic Ocean, impacting areas including The Bahamas. The rocket's first stage booster, Super Heavy, successfully returned to SpaceX's Starbase site in Texas, where it was caught by the tower's mechanical 'chopstick' arms—a repeat of its performance during Flight 7.
Following the incident, the FAA launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the explosion, ultimately determining that the company had implemented satisfactory corrective measures. Only after this process did the agency grant authorisation for another test flight.
Reusing key components
A significant milestone for Flight 9 is the planned reuse of the same Super Heavy booster that flew on Flight 7. SpaceX has long promoted the idea of full reusability as key to reducing the cost of space travel and achieving future goals such as moon bases and Mars colonisation. By successfully recovering and preparing this booster for another launch, the company aims to demonstrate a crucial capability in its broader Starship programme.
Launch date of Flight 9 and future goals
Although SpaceX has not officially announced a launch date for Flight 9, notices related to airspace closures suggest that Tuesday, 27 May, could be a potential window. When fully stacked, Starship and Super Heavy measure over 122 metres tall, making it the largest and most powerful rocket ever constructed. Both stages are designed for rapid reuse, and successful testing is considered a major step toward operational flights that could support NASA's Artemis missions and commercial ventures.
Flight 9 represents more than just a continuation of Starship's development—it is a critical demonstration of SpaceX's ability to learn from failures and iterate quickly. With FAA approval now in place, attention turns to whether the ninth flight will finally bring both the Super Heavy and Ship components back safely, setting the stage for a new era in space launch capabilities.
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