The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated an investigation into SpaceX’s second consecutive loss of its Starship vehicle, following the eighth flight test conducted on March 7, 2023. The launch, originating from the Boca Chica facility in Texas at 02:30 MSK, successfully executed the separation of the SuperHeavy booster, which was then recovered using a robotic capture system. However, eight minutes post-launch, the Starship experienced a sequential shutdown of four out of six Raptor engines, leading to uncontrolled rotation and subsequent detonation. The objectives of this flight echoed those of the prior seventh test, ultimately yielding a similarly partial success. This incident underscores the ongoing scrutiny from regulatory authorities, as the FAA noted that the investigation into a previous explosion during the seventh test is still incomplete. The implications of these failures on SpaceX’s operational cadence and the development of reusable launch systems are significant, highlighting the challenges faced in achieving reliable spaceflight capabilities.
