After destruction by Starship: Authority issued launch ban

The US Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hat SpaceX instructed to conduct a safety investigation. Starship damaged the launch pad when it was launched last week. Debris torn from the earth was thrown in all directions. Ashes were scattered over nearby wildlife sanctuaries and the town of Boca Chica. Cars parked nearby were also damaged.

The FAA will oversee the investigation, an official told the agency The Register. Future test flights of the missile will have to be suspended until investigations are complete, the report said.

SpaceX-Chef Elon Musk pointed out that the company has already started building a water-cooled steel plate before the launch last week. It is intended to be mounted under the rocket’s launch bracket and reinforce the launch pad. However, the record was not finished in time, Musk said.

The giant rocket was the first to take off on its second launch attempt last Thursday. But it exploded in the air after a few minutes. SpaceX still rated the launch attempt as a success. Musk promised to try again “in a few months”.

The Starship consists of the eponymous, 50 meter high spaceship and the 69 meter high „Super Heavy“ -Booster. It is supposed to take people to the moon and Mars in the future. SpaceX works with the NASA together.