FAA will oversee SpaceX-led Starship 3 mishap investigation

Right after the Starship test flight 3, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced to oversee SpaceX-led mishap investigation for this test mission.

SpaceX launched the third Starship test flight on March 14 from Starbase Texas. The company achieved major milestones including reaching the orbit, performing the in-orbit propellant transfer, opening/closing the payload door, and checking the heat shield.

Despite these achievements, SpaceX did not meet its end goal with both Super Heavy and Starship Spacecraft. Both of these completed initial milestones but missed the landing part.

SpaceX Starship Flight 3 Liftoff from Starbase Texas (Source – SpaceX)

The flight is still subject to mishap and allows the rocket maker to correct design flaws with data gathered from the third flight test to prepare for the fourth.

“A mishap investigation is designed to further enhance public safety, determine the root cause of the event, and identify corrective actions to avoid it from happening again.” Wrote FAA.

(source – FAA)