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Investing.com -- On Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded its safety review and determined that the SpaceX Starship vehicle is ready to return to flight operations. This decision was made while the investigation into the mishap of the Starship Flight 7, which occurred on January 16, is still ongoing. The FAA is overseeing this investigation, which is being led by SpaceX.
Additionally, the FAA has issued a license modification authorizing the launch of SpaceX Starship Flight 8. The FAA confirmed that SpaceX has met all safety, environmental, and other licensing requirements for the suborbital test flight. The Flight 8 mission profile includes the launch of the combined Starship/Super Heavy vehicle from Boca Chica, Texas. After launch, the Super Heavy booster rocket will return to the launch site for a catch attempt by the launch tower. The Starship vehicle is then planned to land in the Indian Ocean, west of Australia. For more details, SpaceX should be contacted directly.
The FAA had previously issued a statement on January 17 regarding the mishap of SpaceX Starship Flight 7. The agency required SpaceX to conduct an investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle during the January 16 launch operations. At the time of the event, no public injuries were reported, and the FAA was collaborating with SpaceX and other relevant authorities to verify reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos.
During the mishap, the FAA activated a Debris Response Area and briefly slowed aircraft outside the area where space vehicle debris was falling or halted aircraft at their departure location. Some aircraft requested to divert due to low fuel levels while holding outside the impacted areas.
A Debris Response Area is activated only if the space vehicle experiences an anomaly with debris falling outside of the identified closed aircraft hazard areas. This allows the FAA to direct aircraft to exit the area and prevent others from entering.
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