bighit777 US grounds SpaceX’s Starship rocket pending probe

bighit777

The SpaceX Starship rocket sits at the launch pad during inclement weather on January 14, 2025, near Boca Chica, Texas. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on January 17, 2025, grounded SpaceX’s prototype Starship rocket, ordering Elon Musk’s company to carry out a “mishap investigation” before it can return to flight. The spaceship dramatically disintegrated over the Caribbean on January 16,” and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos,” the agency said in a statement. (Photo by SERGIO FLORES / AFP)

WASHINGTON, United States — The US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday grounded SpaceX’s Starship pending an investigation by Elon Musk’s company into why the rocket’s upper stage dramatically disintegrated in a fiery cascade over the Caribbean during its latest test flight.

big slots 777

According to the procedure, SpaceX will now be required to carry out a “mishap investigation” — including the identification of any corrective actions, which the FAA will review before determining the launch vehicle can return to flight.

Article continues after this advertisement

Or, SpaceX may submit a request to return to flight before the probe is finished if it completes a filing that demonstrates it has taken preventative measures and that the mishap did not jeopardize public safety.

FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Foul play eyed in OFW's death in Kuwait GLOBALNATION China says population fell for third year in a row in 2024 GLOBALNATION 2 South Africans caught with P97-M shabu at Naia

“The FAA is requiring SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle during launch operations on Jan. 16,” the agency said.

“There are no reports of public injury, and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos.”

Article continues after this advertisement

It added that during the event, it briefly activated a “Debris Response Area” protocol to slow aircraft outside the area where the debris was falling, or stop aircraft at their departure location.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Several aircraft requested to divert due to low fuel levels while holding outside impacted areas.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Starship is the biggest, most powerful rocket ever built, and is key to Musk’s ambitions of colonizing Mars.

WASHINGTON – The United States on Friday reported a budget deficit of $1.8 trillion for the past year, widening from 2023’s level on greater spending, including for interest on the public debt.

Authorities have since last month unveiled a raft of measures to kickstart sluggish consumption and address a prolonged and debilitating debt crisis in the country’s colossal property sector.

NASA meanwhile hopes to use a modified version of the rocket as a human lunar lander for its Artemis missions to return to the Moon.

Article continues after this advertisement

Thursday’s uncrewed launch was Starship’s seventh orbital test, and the first involving a taller, upgraded version of the rocket.

SpaceX, which dominates the commercial launch market through its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, underscored its technical prowess by catching Starship’s first stage booster in the “chopstick” arms of its launch tower for a second time.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

But the triumph was short-lived when teams lost contact with the upper-stage vehicle. SpaceX later confirmed it had undergone “rapid unscheduled disassemblybighit777,” the company’s euphemism for an explosion.

READ NEXT US grounds SpaceX’s Starship rocket pending probe Gangs cash in on desperation of US-bound migrants EDITORS' PICK Gov’t set to end Yolanda housing backlog this year Trump’s top diplomat pick: China must ‘stop messing around’ with PH Comprehensive Sexuality Education is ‘very, very, very important’ – Marcos NPCC evaluates steps for DA to declare food security emergency China says population fell for third year in a row in 2024 Vic Sotto, Darryl Yap face off in court for first time MOST READ NLEX warns of heavy traffic on Jan. 18-19 due to PH Arena concert PH, China agree to honor provisional understanding on Ayungin trips Trump’s top diplomat pick: China must ‘stop messing around’ with PH PNP summons mall guard over viral video mistreating young vendor Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments