2023-09-08 19:42:21
PABLO SCARPELLINI
@pscarpe
The Angels
Updated Friday, September 8, 2023 – 19:42
It is the conclusion of the federal agency’s investigation after the explosion of the powerful rocket last April in Texas. A version of that ship is part of NASA’s mission to return to the Moon
The Starship ship after exploding during the April testEric GayAP
Space It is the conclusion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after shelving the investigation, a blow to the interests of the company founded and directed by Elon Musk that could also delay the Artemis 3 mission to the Moon. , since NASA has commissioned a modified version of the Starship to take its astronauts to the lunar surface.
The same South African businessman had written this week on However, Space X must carry out important modifications to continue with its space project.
“Corrective actions include vehicle hardware redesigns to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety-critical systems and components, including the Autonomous Flight Safety System, and application of additional exchange control”, as explained in a statement.
The federal authority clarifies that “the closure of the investigation of the mishap does not indicate an immediate resumption of Starship launches in Boca Chica”, in Texas and that “SpaceX must implement all corrective actions that affect public safety and request and receive a FAA license modification that addresses all applicable regulatory, environmental, and safety requirements prior to Starship’s upcoming launch.”
The incident in question happened on April 20, minutes after taking off from a launch pad in South Texas. The rocket, the most powerful ever built, did not reach orbit. Following launch at 7:33 a.m. local time, Starship underwent a period of maximum aerodynamic pressure and then began to fall before exploding in a fireball over the Gulf of Mexico.
The accident left a crater on the ground and sparked a one-and-a-half-acre fire in a nearby state park, prompting lawsuits from environmental groups against the FAA for authorizing the launch without ensuring the safety of ecosystems on the ground.
The FAA’s decision is a blow to the commercial interests of Space the world.
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