FAA Ends Investigations into Recent SpaceX Spacecraft Launches

The regulatory drama around SpaceX’s recent Starship launches has simmered. CNNof Jackie Wattles and The edge have learned that the FAA has ended its investigations into the SN8 and SN9 launches. SpaceX and the FAA have “settled” concerns about the SN8 license, Wattles said. Officials ended the SN9 investigation after determining that the rocket’s meteoric death occurred “within” FAA safety criteria and did not threaten the public.

The FAA’s SN9 investigation was a routine response to failure, Wattles added. Officials are also examining the botched Falcon 9 landing from the latest Starlink mission, but that won’t necessarily cause problems for SpaceX.

The decisions are good news for SpaceX. They pave the way for an SN10 prototype launch, which could happen soon when the company is ready to perform non-flight tests starting February 22. The question, of course, is whether future Starship flights will go any easier. Elon Musk is more confident this time around, but making peace with the FAA only matters if SpaceX can successfully land Starship and avoid government demands in the first place.