Elon Musk Pounds FAA For Delaying SpaceX’s Starship SN9’s First Flight Test Due To Security Concerns

SpaceX fans in the US and around the world agreed to see the company launch its prototype Starship Serial Number 9 (SN9) for its first test flight Thursday, but all that was seen was the massive rocket that went completely silent on the launch pad was standing.

Moments later, CEO Elon Musk hit the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Twitter for its rules regarding space launches – suggesting that SpaceX was not given the green light for the flight test.

“Unlike the aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA’s aerospace division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure,” Musk wrote.

Their rules are for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never go to Mars. ‘

The FAA has remained silent as Musk voiced his frustrations online, but the division told DailyMail.com, “We will continue to work with SpaceX to resolve outstanding security issues before approving the next test flight.”

While not stated by the FAA, the delay may be due to SpaceX’s earlier test flight with its Starship SN8, which went up about seven miles into the air and then exploded on the launch pad in what Musk called “ a great test. ”

Regardless, SpaceX needs FAA approval before SN9 is aired, but the company announced it is looking forward to another attempt on Monday.

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Starship SN9 is already waiting for the launch pad this week for its first test flight, during which it will fly six miles into the air and perform an aerodynamic descent and flipping maneuver – the same tricks that its predecessor SN8 performed in December.

On Thursday, SpaceX fueled SN9 for the performance and pulled the plug on the mission moments later.

Friday morning, the Space crew began preparations for the hop, and the residents of the test facility had evacuated the area, which is needed during high-altitude tests.

An FAA spokesperson told DailyMail.com in an email, “ The FAA will continue to work with SpaceX to evaluate additional information provided by the company as part of its application to change its launch license.

“While we recognize the importance of acting quickly to drive growth and innovation in the commercial space, the FAA will not jeopardize its responsibility to protect public safety.”

We will not approve the change until we are satisfied that SpaceX has taken the necessary steps to comply with legal requirements. ‘

SpaceX has been discussing the SN9’s launch since early January, but it appears the mission has been delayed until the company and the FAA can reach an agreement – and Musk’s tweet may not have helped the cause.

The FAA could have such concerns after the SN8 exploded on the launch pad in December.

The giant missile took off from the test facility in Boca Chica, Texas on Dec. 9 at 5:45 p.m. ET, ignited the Raptor engines and flew into the air to successfully reach its target of 12.8 miles. (41,000 feet).

The take-off of the spacecraft’s prototype took about six minutes before the engines stopped and the SN8 began its journey back to the launch pad.

The world was on the edge of its seats as the rocket approached the ground – wondering if Musk’s prediction of a bumpy landing would turn out to be correct.

When SN8 finally landed, it ignited in flames – and once the fire and smoke cleared, all that was left was a lot of debris and on top of it what was left of the craft’s nose cone.

However, Musk considered the launch a success – he said the prototype, although destroyed, amassed a wealth of data that will take SpaceX one step closer to sending humans to Mars aboard the rocket.