SpaceX revealed Monday that last month’s Starship explosion resulted from propellant leaks that sparked fires and a communications blackout, forcing the ship to self-destruct. The company says it’s fixed the issue and is gearing up for an eighth test flight as early as Friday, pending Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval amid an ongoing mishap investigation.
At a glance:
- Propellant leaks caused fires on Starship, leading to its explosion in January.
- SpaceX pinpointed vibrations as the culprit, stressing propulsion system hardware.
- Fixes include new fuel lines, vents, and a purge system for the next launch.
- FAA must close the investigation or grant special permission for Friday’s flight.
What Went Wrong in Orbit
SpaceX detailed the January Starship test failure in a Monday blog post, noting the mission started strong with a successful launch and booster catch in Texas. Trouble hit two minutes after Starship fired its Raptor vacuum engines for orbit, when a flash near one engine signaled a propellant leak, confirmed by onboard sensors detecting pressure spikes. Two minutes later, another flash ignited “sustained fires” in the aft section, SpaceX wrote, causing all but one engine to shut down in controlled sequences before communications cut out entirely. The automatic abort system then triggered the ship’s destruction, scattering debris over Turks and Caicos—within a pre-set safe zone, though some washed ashore and dinged a vehicle. SpaceX attributed the leaks to unexpectedly high vibrations that “led to increased stress on hardware in the propulsion system,” a flaw they claim to have addressed.
The company’s now under an FAA mishap investigation—the first since CEO Elon Musk joined the Trump administration’s efficiency efforts, including at the FAA, which didn’t respond to TechCrunch’s inquiries. SpaceX needs the FAA to either wrap up the probe or specially authorize the next flight, targeting Friday.
Fixes and the Road Ahead
SpaceX isn’t slowing down, claiming it’s ready for round eight after tweaking Starship’s fuel lines, adjusting propellant temperature, and adding vents plus “a new purge system” to toughen the aft section against leaks. The January test aimed to upgrade the Super Heavy booster, launch tower, and Starship itself, but the explosion halted that progress mid-flight. Despite the fiery end—spectacularly visible over Turks and Caicos—SpaceX insists all debris landed as planned in the “pre-planned Debris Response Area” negotiated with agencies. The FAA rerouted flights to avoid risks, a nod to public safety. With fixes in place, SpaceX awaits the green light, balancing innovation with regulation—a saga taxpayers and space fans alike are watching as Musk’s influence grows in both orbits.
