FAA Regulators Complete Safety Review Portion of License
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed a critical portion of the launch license review for SpaceX’s Starship, bringing the company one step closer to its second launch. According to regulators, they have finished a safety review focused on how a Starship launch could affect public health and property.
What Was Reviewed in the Safety Assessment
The safety review evaluated several key aspects of SpaceX’s operations:
- Safety Organization: The FAA examined SpaceX’s overall approach to ensuring safety during launches.
- System Safety Processes: Regulators reviewed the company’s procedures for identifying and mitigating potential risks.
- Flight Safety Analysis: The FAA assessed SpaceX’s methods for analyzing and minimizing the risk of accidents.
- Quantitative Risk Criteria: The review also evaluated the company’s approach to assessing and managing quantitative risks related to launch, reentry, and vehicle disposal.
Completion of Safety Review Critical for SpaceX
The completion of this safety review portion of the license is a significant milestone, especially considering the first Starship orbital flight test in April ended in a spectacular mid-air explosion. However, this does not mean that regulators have given SpaceX a green light for launch. The company still awaits the results of the environmental assessment, which the FAA is conducting in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
Environmental Assessment Underway
The FWS and FAA initiated the review on October 19, with 135 days to provide an updated assessment. Among their considerations are:
- SpaceX’s New Water Deluge System: Regulators will examine how this system, installed after the orbital launch mount was destroyed by the rocket booster’s ultra-powerful engines, impacts the environment.
- Potential Impacts on Local Environment: The review aims to assess potential effects on local ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
SpaceX Preparing for Second Orbital Flight Test
Despite the ongoing environmental assessment, SpaceX has stated that it is ready to proceed with a second orbital flight test. In testimony provided to lawmakers earlier this month, Bill Gerstenmaier, VP of build and flight reliability, said that Starship has been prepared for its next flight test "for more than a month." Additionally, SpaceX conducted a wet dress rehearsal of the stacked vehicle in preparation for launch.
Next Steps for SpaceX’s Starship Program
While the completion of the safety review is a significant milestone, it does not guarantee a launch approval. The environmental assessment results will be crucial in determining whether SpaceX can proceed with its next orbital flight test.
