US EditionStarship’s Ninth Test Creates Problems for Elon Musk
- SpaceX conducted Starship's ninth test flight on May 27, 2025, launching from its Starbase site in South Texas.
- This flight followed two previous tests that ended prematurely, and the vehicle aimed to demonstrate new reentry and flight capabilities despite known risks.
- The 400-foot rocket reached space successfully but disintegrated around 46 minutes in during atmospheric reentry, breaking apart after beginning its landing burn.
- SpaceX reported that the loss was due to a propellant leak causing vehicle tumbling, and all debris fell within planned hazard areas as confirmed by the FAA.
- This test's mixed results triggered an FAA mishap investigation, underscoring the unpredictable nature of developmental testing necessary for SpaceX's Mars colonization goal.
16 Articles
16 Articles
SpaceX hit with mishap investigation by FAA for Starship Flight 9
SpaceX has been hit with yet another mishap investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) related to the company’s ninth test flight of Starship earlier this week. The FAA said the mishap investigation is “focused only on the loss of the Starship vehicle, which did not complete its launch or reentry as planned.” The agency said the loss of the Super Heavy booster is covered by one of the FAA’s approved test induced damage exceptions…
Despite the failure of Starship's Test Flight 9, which failed to validate all of the expected objectives, some progress was observed. Advances that SpaceX was able to capture in video, including an action that had never been attempted. The ninth test flight of the Starship, held at the end of May, did not
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