SpaceX is inching closer to obtaining the green light for its next Starship test flight—an essential step for the company's ambitions of deep-space travel—following an updated launch license granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The regulatory progress comes amid heightened scrutiny after the previous two test flights ended in failure.
Credit: SpaceX
On May 15, the FAA formally amended SpaceX’s launch license, a key administrative hurdle that aligns with recent environmental approvals. Earlier this month, the FAA authorized SpaceX to conduct up to 25 Starship launches per year from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas—five times the prior limit. This expanded permission reflects the FAA’s growing confidence in SpaceX’s operational framework, though it stops short of granting immediate launch clearance.
“The license modification does not authorize SpaceX to proceed with its next Starship launch, designated Flight 9,” the FAA clarified in a statement. “SpaceX may not launch until the FAA either concludes its investigation into the Flight 8 mishap or determines it is safe to resume flights.” The agency is currently reviewing SpaceX’s incident report, which was submitted on May 14.
Flight 8, which launched in March, ended prematurely after an “energetic event” in the upper stage of the vehicle. The incident caused several Raptor engines to shut down mid-ascent, ultimately leading to a loss of attitude control and an unplanned reentry over the Caribbean Sea. The event bore similarities to the January Flight 7 failure, where SpaceX identified a “harmonic response” significantly stronger than seen in ground tests. This overstressed the propulsion system, causing fuel leaks and subsequent fires. The FAA accepted SpaceX’s explanation for Flight 7 on March 31.
Despite the setbacks, SpaceX is pushing forward. On May 13, the company conducted a long-duration static fire test of Starship’s upper stage as part of its final preparations for Flight 9. Navigational warnings issued to air and sea traffic suggest a possible launch window as early as May 22, pending final FAA approval.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also announced plans to deliver a presentation outlining the company’s Mars strategy just before the upcoming test. “Just before the Starship flight next week, I will give a company talk explaining the Mars game plan in Starbase, Texas,” Musk posted on social media. The address will also be streamed online.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing in the Caribbean over the safety and impact of Starship’s flight path. ProPublica reported that Stephen Doughty, a British government minister responsible for overseas territories, including the Turks and Caicos Islands, has formally requested the U.S. State Department to reconsider the vehicle’s trajectory and timing to reduce the risk to the region.
In response to these concerns, the FAA released an updated environmental assessment on May 15 that expands the aircraft hazard area (AHA) for Flight 9 to include parts of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. The FAA cited the increased likelihood of failure based on the outcomes of Flights 7 and 8.
According to the assessment, more than 175 commercial flights could be impacted by the airspace restrictions, with average delays projected at around 40 minutes. The launch is scheduled to occur during off-peak hours, with a targeted liftoff at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos is expected to close temporarily during the launch window.
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