FAA issues License Authorization for SpaceX Starship Flight 7
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 18, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a license modification permitting SpaceX to conduct multiple missions of its Starship/Super Heavy vehicle under the Flight 7 mission profile. The FAA confirmed that SpaceX met all safety, environmental, and licensing requirements necessary for this upcoming suborbital test flight.

"The FAA continues to increase efficiencies in our licensing determination activities to meet the needs of the commercial space transportation industry," said Kelvin B. Coleman, Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. "This license modification that we are issuing is well ahead of the Starship Flight 7 launch date and is another example of the FAA's commitment to enable safe space transportation."

The Flight 7 mission will see the combined Starship/Super Heavy vehicle lift off from SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas launch site. The mission plan includes the Super Heavy booster rocket returning to the launch site for a precision catch attempt using the launch tower, while the Starship vehicle targets a water landing in the Indian Ocean, west of Australia. For details regarding the launch date, SpaceX must be contacted directly.

The Starship program operates under an FAA Part 450 launch license, which governs commercial space operations.

Test Induced Damage Exceptions

The authorization for Flight 7 includes specific Test Induced Damage Exceptions. These exceptions cover scenarios where certain system failures may occur during the flight test without triggering a mishap investigation, provided public safety remains uncompromised.

The FAA approved five exceptions based on SpaceX's stated test objectives:

1. Failure of the thermal shield under high heating.

2. Failure of the flap system during high dynamic pressure.

3. Failure of the Raptor engine system during the Starship landing burn.

4. Failure of the Raptor engine system during in-space demonstration burns.

5. Failure of Super Heavy systems during post-booster catch vehicle safing.

In each case, no investigation will be required as long as there is no serious injury, fatality, property damage unrelated to the mission, or debris outside designated hazard zones.

Controlled and Uncontrolled Starship Entry

Additionally, the license modification allows SpaceX the option to conduct a controlled or uncontrolled entry of the Starship vehicle. Should SpaceX opt for an uncontrolled entry, it must notify the FAA prior to launch. Under this condition, the loss of the Starship vehicle will be treated as a planned event.

As with damage exceptions, no investigation will be required for an uncontrolled entry unless it results in injury, fatality, unrelated property damage, or debris straying beyond approved zones.

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