FAA Greenlights SpaceX's Starship Flight 8 After January Explosion: Upgrades and New Objectives Set for Suborbital Test

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized SpaceX to proceed with the eighth test flight of its Starship spacecraft, designated Flight 8, following an investigation into the January explosion of Flight 7. The launch is scheduled from SpaceX's South Texas facilities. The FAA confirmed that SpaceX met all safety and licensing prerequisites for the suborbital test. The January incident occurred over the North Atlantic after Starship detached from its Super Heavy rocket booster. Debris reached the Turks and Caicos Islands, prompting a recovery plan approved on February 13. SpaceX assured residents that the debris, including heat shield tiles composed of high-grade silica, poses no toxic risks. SpaceX attributes the Flight 7 explosion to a fuel leak in the aft section of the vehicle, potentially caused by vibrations during flight. Modifications for Flight 8 include altered fuel lines, adjusted propellant temperatures, and a new purge system to mitigate fuel leaks. The upcoming mission aims to achieve objectives deferred from Flight 7, including the deployment of mock satellites.