The FAA is taking extra precautions for SpaceX’s next Starship test flight
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Summary
SpaceX can proceed with its ninth Starship test flight after US regulator the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the cause of the previous flight’s explosion had been addressed.
The FAA has expanded the hazard area for flight nine to twice the previous distance, at 1,600 nautical miles, and is requiring the launch to be conducted during a non-peak transit period for air traffic.
SpaceX is planning to re-use a Super Heavy booster from its seventh flight for the ninth test.
In late March, the FAA renewed SpaceX’s launch licence, allowing an increase in the number of Starship launches from five to 25 per year.
The FAA is still without a permanent chief after Michael Whitaker left on 20 January.