FAA Grounds SpaceX's Starship V3 Following Flight 12 Mishap
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded SpaceX's Starship V3 megarocket following the vehicle's Flight 12. The agency has declared the incident a "mishap" and is requiring a formal investigation before the rocket can return to flight.
SpaceX had attempted the debut flight of the upgraded V3 configuration of its massive Starship vehicle. The FAA's mishap classification means the incident meets certain thresholds for damage or risk, triggering a standard review process. The agency requires operators to identify the cause of the failure and implement corrective actions before resuming flights.
This grounding adds to a history of regulatory pauses for Starship development. SpaceX will need to work with the FAA to complete the investigation and satisfy all safety requirements before the next flight attempt.