FAA requires mishap investigation into latest Starship launch

SpaceX's Starship lifts off May 22 on the Flight 12 mission. Credit: SpaceX

AMSTERDAM — The Federal Aviation Administration will require SpaceX to complete an investigation into its latest Starship test flight before allowing the vehicle to fly again.

In a May 27 statement, the FAA said it determined that the Flight 12 launch of Starship on May 22 from the company’s Starbase, Texas, facilities resulted in a mishap. The FAA defines a mishap as meeting one of several criteria, including the failure to complete a launch or reentry as planned.

The FAA said immediately after the launch it was investigating anomalies with the flight involving the Super Heavy booster, but had not yet determined whether the incident constituted a mishap as defined by the agency.

“After a thorough assessment of the operation, the FAA has determined the May 22 SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch resulted in a mishap,” the FAA stated. “The mishap involved the Super Heavy booster as it flew back to the Gulf of America after stage separation.”