SpaceX's Starship Rockets Are Grounded Pending Investigation After Test Flight
The FAA is assessing the booster failure after 33 Raptor engines cut out and the vehicle crashed into Gulf waters, with no mishap determination yet.
- On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration determined SpaceX's May 22 Starship Flight 12 mission resulted in a mishap, ordering the company to conduct an investigation before launching Flight 13.
- During ascent, one of the 33 Raptor V3 engines on Super Heavy booster B19 shut down about 1 minute and 42 seconds into flight; after stage separation, the booster experienced engine failures during its attempted controlled return and crashed into the Gulf.
- SpaceX communications team member Dan Huot stated during broadcast, "We are not seeing as many booster engines ignited as we expected for boostback," though the upper stage successfully deployed satellite simulators and achieved a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia.
- The FAA will oversee the SpaceX-led investigation at every step and approve the final report including corrective actions; return to flight depends on FAA verification that no system, process, or procedure related to the mishap affects public safety.
- Investigation duration remains unclear, though SpaceX's February Falcon 9 grounding lasted only four days; the probe will focus on new Raptor 3 engines that debuted on Flight 12, with hardware standing by for Flight 13 consisting of Ship 40 and Booster 20.
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SpaceX's Starship rockets are grounded pending investigation after test flight
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FAA requires SpaceX-led mishap investigation before resumption of Starship launches
A closeup shot of SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster, tail number Booster 19, during the initial moments of ascent on the Starship Flight 12 mission on May 22, 2026. Image: SpaceX FAA requires SpaceX-led mishap investigation before resumption of Starship launches The Federal Aviation Administration made the determination after analyzing the results of Starship Flight 12, which took place on Friday, May 22. The Federal Aviation Administration said that…
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