Earlier this week, SpaceX made their 7th test launch of Starship. The main goals were to:
1. Achieve successful stage separation
2. Catch the booster on the launchpad
3. Reach orbit and deploy faux satellites
4. Splashdown with the upper stage and recover it.
They achieved the first two...but the upper stage had an issue with a valve (apparently) and blew up before it reached orbit.
The debris field was extensive, and the FAA had to temporarily reroute planes around it. And, that debris field rained down on the Atlantic Ocean where it meets the Gulf of Mexico; there were reports of damage in Turks and Caicos.
And now the FAA is investigating again, and has told SpaceX that they need time to evaluate before allowing for another launch attempt.
But here's where things might get sticky. Don't forget that Elon Musk owns SpaceX. Elon Musk is also acting as the shadow president, and will soon have direct authority over the FAA. I have to wonder what will happen here. Will he exert his will and do as he pleases? Or will he play nice and work toward a reasonable resolution?
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