FAA calls for investigation into ninth Starship flight

STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Federal Aviation Administration is requiring SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation into its ninth flight from Starbase on Tuesday.

Despite failing to accomplish all three of its main objectives, the FAA is only asking SpaceX to focus on the loss of the Starship vehicle, which did not complete its launch or reentry as planned.

As previously reported by ValleyCentral, the star of flight nine was supposed to be the Super Heavy booster, which was anticipated to land in the Gulf of America, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico, rather than back at the launch site, where it was formerly caught by the chopsticks.

While the Super Heavy booster did not accomplish its objectives for testing in flight nine, the FAA determined that the loss of the Super Heavy booster is covered by one of the approved test-induced damage exceptions requested by SpaceX.

Additionally, the FAA activated a Debris Response Area to be cautious when the Super Heavy booster lost contact with SpaceX and was over the gulf.

"The FAA subsequently determined the debris did not fall outside of the hazard area," the FAA stated. "During the event there were zero departure delays, one flight was diverted, and one airborne flight was held for 24 minutes."

This is not the first time SpaceX has been required to conduct a mishap investigation. The most recent notable investigation was conducted for the flight seven launch on Jan. 16 when the Starship exploded over Turks and Caicos causing what appeared like an artificial meteor shower.