FAA Approves Starship Launch After March Test Failure

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved SpaceX's Starship for its next flight following a test failure in March. The authorization enables SpaceX to launch from its Texas facility as early as next week, contingent on technical readiness and weather conditions.

The FAA has revised hazard zones along Starship's flight path, expanding the Aircraft Hazard Area from 885 to 1,600 nautical miles. The updated zone now stretches eastward from SpaceX's southern Texas launch site, passing through the Straits of Florida and encompassing the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.

The FAA emphasized its “close contact and collaboration” with nations along Starship’s trajectory, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands, to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. 

Debris from Starship test explosions in January and March affected parts of the Caribbean, prompting cleanup efforts by SpaceX and local authorities. The FAA stated that the expanded hazard zone reflects updated flight safety analyses, accounting for the probability of vehicle failure and public safety risks.

The new zone also supports SpaceX’s plan to reuse a Starship booster for the first time during its upcoming ninth test flight—a key milestone for achieving rapid reusability. The FAA confirmed, “With the Starship vehicle cleared for return to flight, Starship Flight 9 is authorized for launch,” adding that SpaceX meets all safety, environmental, and licensing requirements. A tentative launch date has been set for May 27, subject to changes.

Starship remains integral to NASA’s future deep-space missions despite recent test failures and scrutiny of CEO Elon Musk’s political affiliations. NASA has allocated up to US$4 billion for two crewed moon missions using Starship and could increase its reliance on the vehicle if the White House’s May 2 budget proposal to retire the  Space Launch System (SLS) after three flights is approved. With the SLS costing US$2 billion to US$4 billion per launch, Starship’s lower costs present an attractive alternative.

Starship development follows a “rapid iterative” model, launching low-cost prototypes to quickly identify and address issues. While test flights have cost between US$50 million and US$100 million each, none have yet demonstrated critical capabilities such as orbital refueling or life support systems for crewed missions.

SpaceX defends its approach despite high-profile failures, stating, “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn.” This philosophy contrasts with NASA’s cautious, high-cost SLS strategy, potentially positioning Starship as the agency’s primary deep-space launch vehicle if its reliability improves.