FAA demands investigation into SpaceX Starship test failure

Published May 31, 2025 12:08pm ET



The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday that it will require SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation after the failed test flight of Starship Flight 9 earlier this week.

SpaceX’s Starship broke up upon reentry during its Tuesday test flight, after a fuel leak caused it to lose control of its altitude. The FAA said there were no injuries or damaged property, and all debris from the spacecraft landed in the designated hazard, but it is still requiring the company to investigate.

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