FAA Requires Blue Origin and SpaceX to Probe Launch Anomalies
The FAA has ordered investigations into recent launch failures by Blue Origin and SpaceX. While Blue Origin’s New Glenn-1 mission failed to land its first stage as planned, SpaceX’s Starship-7 test ended in disintegration over the Caribbean. Both companies are under scrutiny as the FAA aims to ensure public safety in commercial space operations.
The FAA is demanding an investigation into the accidents involving Blue Origin and SpaceX, citing potential anomalies related to their recent launches.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn-1 mission successfully reached orbit, but its first stage failed to land on a barge in the Atlantic as planned. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starship-7 integrated flight test ended in failure when the second stage, Starship, disintegrated over the Caribbean near the Turks and Caicos Islands.
These incidents occurred within hours of each other, with Blue Origin launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and SpaceX from Boca Chica, Texas.
Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, conducted the first flight of its heavy-lift rocket New Glenn (NG-1). The launch placed the second stage into orbit as planned, but the first stage failed to land on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean, preventing its reuse. David Limp, president of Blue Origin, acknowledged the mission was “an ambitious goal” for the first flight and stated they would attempt it again in the spring.
The FAA, which regulates commercial space launches and re-entries to ensure public safety, requires companies to obtain licenses for each event and can mandate investigations. As such, the FAA is requiring both Blue Origin and SpaceX to investigate their respective incidents.
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The Starship-7 test, part of SpaceX’s massive Starship/Super Heavy program, initially followed its plan. The Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch tower to be caught by mechanical arms called "chopsticks." However, as attention focused on the booster, Starship’s six engines began failing one by one as it traveled east over the Gulf of Mexico toward the Caribbean. Videos captured near the Turks and Caicos Islands showed debris entering the area, which led the FAA to briefly divert aircraft.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, aims to launch Starship 25 times this year. After investigating the failure, SpaceX attributed it to a fire caused by “an oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship’s engine firewall” and stated that the next launch could proceed as early as next month.
Editor en Aviacionline. Especializado en Aviación Comercial / Aviación en Argentina. 45 años de periodista, y contando.
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