U.S. FAA Quizzes SpaceX On Booster Rocket Fire

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that it was in "close contact" with SpaceX as the company investigated a fire that occurred during a test of a Super Heavy booster rocket, but that the agency was barred from investigating the incident.

Photo Insert: SpaceX lost four prototypes of the Starship itself in a series of high-altitude test launches in late 2020 and early 2021 when the return landing attempts resulted in explosions. In May 2021, the Starship prototype landed safely.

The FAA told Reuters' David Shepardson that U.S. law "limits the FAA’s safety oversight to protecting the public during scheduled launch and reentry operations. Yesterday’s event does not fall under the agency’s jurisdiction."

Elon Musk's SpaceX booster rocket for its next-generation Starship spacecraft exploded into flames during a ground-test fire on Monday in Texas, putting Musk's goal of getting Starship into orbit this year in jeopardy.

The incident occurred during a days-long static fire test campaign of the rocket in Boca Chica, Texas, which was outfitted with 33 Raptor engines for use in a forthcoming unmanned orbital test flight SpaceX hoped to launch later this year.

"Yeah, actually not good. Team is assessing damage," Musk stated on Twitter following the evening explosion of the Super Heavy Booster 7 prototype, which was seen on livestream footage by NASA Spaceflight.

Musk claimed the explosion, which consumed the rocket's base in a ball of flames and heavy smoke and appeared to shake the video camera, was unique to the engine spin start test.

SpaceX lost four prototypes of the Starship itself in a series of high-altitude test launches in late 2020 and early 2021 when the return landing attempts resulted in explosions. In May 2021, the Starship prototype landed safely.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic