SpaceX's high-altitude test of its Starship SN8 prototype in December 2020 resulted in an explosive fireball, although company CEO Elon Musk appeared satisfied with the data collected during the test. But the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which oversees the regulation of rocket launches, is concerned about the explosion and other issues, according to reports that SpaceX is now under an FAA investigation.
As The Verge reports, the December explosion is not the FAA's only concern. The agency is also said to be concerned about violations of SpaceX's test license and has opened an investigation into the company. The exact details of what SpaceX allegedly did in violation of its license have not yet been made public.
"The FAA will continue to work with SpaceX to assess the additional information provided by the company as part of its request to change its launch license," FAA spokesman Steve Kulm said, as reported. The Verge. "While we recognize the importance of acting quickly to foster growth and innovation in the commercial space, the FAA will not compromise its responsibility to protect public safety. We will only approve the change when we are satisfied that SpaceX has taken the necessary steps to comply with regulatory requirements. "
Problems with the FAA have hampered plans for another high-altitude test of the new SN9 prototype, due to take place this week. The test had to be postponed after the FAA lifted temporary flight restrictions in the airspace around the test site.
In this context, CEO Elon Musk criticized the FAA on Twitter, claiming that its space division has "a fundamentally broken regulatory structure" and that its rules do not reflect the modern situation of multiple unsustainable launches being carried out on a regular basis.
Unlike its aerospace division, which is good, the FAA's space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure.
Their rules are intended for a handful of consumable launches per year from a few government facilities. According to these rules, humanity will never reach Mars.
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 28, 2021
Now, SpaceX has two prototypes ready for testing - the SN9 and the SN10. The two prototypes were seen side by side on the SpaceX pad in Boca Chica. Space.com assumes the next test flight could take place next week, starting Monday, February 1, provided FAA approvals are granted in time.
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