‘Fundamentally Broken’ – Elon Musk Spars By FAA SpaceX star ‘s release over delayed

Elon Musk has accused the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of having a “fundamentally broken regulatory structure” after failing to allow a SpaceX test – but others have warned that rules should not about taking safety lightly.

Last week, the Musk company, SpaceX, was expected to test the latest flight of their prototype steel rocket called Starship, designed to one day take humans to Mars, from the test site in Boca Chica, Texas.

Last month, prototype SN8, or “serial number 8”, was launched at its peak, flying to Starship’s highest altitude yet, 12.5 kilometers, before returning to Earth – though not he succeeded successfully, instead exploding when he hit the ground.

This week’s flight of the 50-meter-tall SN9 was expected to be roughly equivalent to SN8’s flight, although it would be to 10 instead of 12.5 kilometers, with the hope of a successful landing.

However, after strong winds of launch efforts on Monday, Jan. 25, the FAA appears to have halted subsequent launch efforts later in the week, which allows for US launch.

This was despite SpaceX actually putting fuel into the rocket while it waited for the launch pad yesterday, Friday, January 29, which may be expected to get permission to ship launched from the FAA at the last minute.

“Unlike its aviation division, which is OK, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken management structure,” Musk tweeted on Thursday, January 28, in response to the FAA saying it had attempted to Thursday postponed.

“There are their rules for a few launches a year from a few government facilities. Under these rules, humanity can never get to Mars. ”

However, according to a Joey Roulette report for The Verge, one of the reasons for the lack of permission was that the SN8 explosion in December when it landed violated the terms of the SpaceX start – up license.

“The so-called mishap investigation opened that week, focusing not only on the explosive route but on SpaceX’s refusal to comply with FAA-authorized conditions,” Roulette wrote, though not. it is “clear which part of the test flight violated FAA approval. ”

The FAA – which introduced a fast-track licensing process for launch in October 2020 – had also been evaluating SpaceX’s license application for SN9, which appeared to have undergone changes, at the time the company hope to launch.

“The FAA will continue to work with SpaceX to assess additional information provided by the company as part of their application to change their start-up permit,” the FAA said in recitation.

“While we recognize the importance of moving swiftly to encourage growth and innovation in a commercial space, the FAA will not jeopardize the protection of public safety.

“We will agree to the modification immediately after being satisfied that SpaceX has taken the necessary steps to comply with regulatory requirements. ”

Some have sided with Musk in the series. David Masten, the CTO of California-based Masten Space Systems, called the FAA rules “BS” on Twitter.

“Don’t get me wrong, management is not always bad,” he said added. “But sometimes the specific rules are not right for a situation and may promote less safe [sic] rather than safer. ”

But others came to the FAA defense, especially in a week that marked the anniversary of NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, which killed all seven astronauts on board.

“Starship is not a test vehicle,” write Madison Telles, Mission Verification Systems Engineer for the UK launch company, Virgin Orbit.

“SpaceX must comply with commercial licensing requirements like everyone else.

“If you value Musk’s views on the FAA / protecting public safety, you don’t really like a place. ”

So far it is not clear what the effect of this spat will be. SpaceX seems to be preparing to try another startup attempt of Starship SN9 on Monday, February 1, although it is unclear whether it will have FAA approval before then.

It has even begun to bring in their next prototype, SN10, for their upcoming test run – captured in some amazing photos by designers.

What is clear is that this program tends to provoke tensions between SpaceX controllers and fans, many of whom feel that the current licensing processes are not enough to handle SpaceX’s rapid testing of the Starship vehicle. aige.

But in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster, others will argue that it ‘s important to remember that safety – especially when it comes to human space light – is paramount, no matter what the ambitions. at a company.

“The process can always be better, of course.” said Jared Zambrano-Stout, former Chief of Staff at the National Space Council.

“But I think it is a mistake for the industry to publicly hit on the body that is working hard to enforce the laws and authorities that Congress has enforced. act faithfully. ”