The regulatory drama surrounding SpaceX’s recent Starship launches has been toned down. CNN‘s Jackie Wattles and The edge have been informed that the FAA has terminated its investigation into the SN8 and SN9 launches. SpaceX and the FAA have “resolved” concerns about the license for SN8, Wattles said. Officials terminated the SN9 investigation after determining that the missile’s fiery death occurred “within the limits” of the FAA’s safety criteria and did not threaten the public.
The FAA’s SN9 investigation was a routine response to failure, Wattles added. Officials are also looking at the failed Falcon 9 landing of the latest Starlink mission, but that doesn’t necessarily mean problems for SpaceX.
The decisions are good news for SpaceX. They are paving the way for the launch of an SN10 prototype, which could come soon if the company is ready to conduct non-flight tests as early as Feb. The question, of course, is whether future Starship flights will run more smoothly. Elon Musk is more confident this time, but making peace with the FAA only matters if SpaceX can successfully land Starship and otherwise avoid government investigations.