The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated that SpaceX and Blue Origin conduct thorough investigations into the mishaps during their recent mega-rocket test flights. Both companies faced significant setbacks during their ambitious launches this week. SpaceX's Starship rocket, which launched from Boca Chica, Texas, exploded during its seventh test flight as it ascended into space. Meanwhile, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, launching for the first time from Cape Canaveral, Florida, experienced a booster explosion during its attempt to land on a drone ship at sea.
The FAA is actively collaborating with SpaceX to verify reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos following the Starship explosion. The incident created a debris field that illuminated the skies over the islands, prompting the FAA to activate a "Debris Response Area." This measure comes into play when debris falls outside of predetermined hazard zones. As a precaution, the FAA also slowed and diverted some flights in nearby airspace due to low fuel levels caused by the debris field.
Elon Musk attributed the Starship's failure to over-pressurization caused by excess gas as it ascended into space. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries related to this incident. SpaceX stated that "any surviving pieces of debris would have fallen into the designated hazard area."
In a parallel development, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully reached orbit with its upper stage. Nevertheless, the mission encountered an anomaly when the booster exploded upon re-entry, failing to achieve a planned landing on a drone ship. This event marks an unexpected challenge for Blue Origin as it ventures into the realm of reusable rocket technology.
The FAA is aware of the anomaly during the Blue Origin mission and will oversee the investigation to determine the cause of the booster explosion. The agency's involvement ensures that future launches adhere to safety standards and minimize risks to public safety and property.
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