FAA not requiring investigation into fourth Starship launch

BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The FAA will not require an investigation into the fourth Starship launch.

In a statement sent to ValleyCentral, the FAA stated it would not require an investigation into the SpaceX Starship Flight 4 mission after assessing the operations.

"All flight events for both the Starship vehicle and the Super Heavy booster appear to have occurred within the scope of planned and authorized activities," the FAA stated.

On June 6, SpaceX launched its fourth Starship test flight out of Boca Chica. Around seven minutes after liftoff, the Super Heavy booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico.

Starship was successfully launched into orbit and made a successful re-entry and landing burn. The Starship vehicle splashed down in the Indian Ocean.

“Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean,” Elon Musk said.

This was the quickest turnaround between Starship test launches, with a gap of 84 days. There was a gap of 212 days between the first and second launch, and a 117-day gap between the second and third.