SpaceX
There were moments of high drama on Thursday afternoon and again Friday morning in South Texas. Two days in a row, SpaceX evacuated the handful of residents in Boca Chica Village. Delegates from the sheriff cleaned beaches and closed roads. And at the company’s launch site, a Starship rocket prototype was prepared for launch.
The vehicle was ready, with ground equipment deflated. The winds were light. And then – nothing. As the hours ticked, the rocket remained on the ground. Unfortunately for SpaceX, the Federal Aviation Administration did not give its final approval to launch. This all led to a fair South Texas showdown.
SpaceX, which officially said it was launching a launch effort on Thursday, did not comment publicly on what happened. The FAA also did not provide details on what happened other than presents a generic statement: “We will continue to work with SpaceX to resolve outstanding safety issues before approving the next test flight.”
Although we do not know the exact details of why an approval did not come, it is helpful to understand what the FAA is trying to do about regulating launch licenses and what SpaceX needs to do to comply. This allows us to make informed guesses about what is hindering the launch of SN9, which will now take place no earlier than Monday. To put these questions together, Ars spoke with experts in mission insurance and FAA rules.
Why is the FAA involved in the launch?
It is the federal agency authorized to license commercial space launches by U.S. companies. The FAA is less concerned about the mission objectives themselves and more about protecting the lives and property near the launch site, as well as the airspace above. Bottom line: tthe FAA would not delay a flight test unless there was cause for public safety concern.
How does SpaceX get the approval to get started?
For each launch of its experimental Starship vehicle, SpaceX must obtain prior FAA approval. The rules for this are clearly set out in the code of federal regulations in a series of parts and rules. It is SpaceX’s job to convince the FAA that its vehicle is worthy of flight, that it has set up a large enough safety corridor and that it has made the right notices. The relevant part of the code is 431.31, which states that the FAA safety review will determine whether a company’s vehicle can take off and land “without endangering public health and safety and the safety of property.” There is usually an overview of the readiness to prepare within 48 hours of flight.
What happens if security clearance is denied?
According to the regulations, the FAA notifies an applicant in writing if the FAA has refused the security clearance for an RLV license application. The notice gives the reasons for the FAA’s determination. The applicant may respond to the reasons for the request for reconsideration. “It looks like we’re getting SpaceX reconsidered right now.
But has the FAA not already issued ‘temporary flight restrictions’ on Thursday and Friday?
Yes, the FAA has placed restrictions on airspace (see here for a current list) for SpaceX’s Boca Chica launch site. However, these restrictions are not an indication of FAA approval, but rather a warning that airspace may be excluded at some point. (This is similar to NOTAMs for pilots).
How, then, do we know that a company has received a launch approval?
There is nowhere on the internet to search for a mission-specific approval for the launch of Starship. It is therefore only known when SpaceX discloses it or when a launch actually takes place.
If SpaceX got permission for SN8 in December, what’s the hold on SN9?
Although the high flight profile for SN9 is similar to the flight made by SN8, it is expected to go only up to 10 km instead of 12.5 km. A mission-specific launch approval must take into account any changes in details, requiring new analyzes, and an updated security corridor. Maybe something happened during the SN8 flight that caught the FAA’s attention and provoked extra investigation. It is also possible that an important case arose between the flights of SN8 and SN9.
Did SpaceX try to intimidate the FAA by inciting Starship for a possible launch?
Without knowing SpaceX’s intentions, it is impossible to answer them. The company may have simply done a rehearsal test. But any intimidation like loading the propellant, or that of Elon Musk frustration on twitter, it is unlikely to work on Wayne Monteith, the FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. He is a respected official who is not influenced by tweets.
Is the FAA trying to hold back SpaceX?
No. It is in the FAA’s interest to license and promote commercial space activities. However, the federal agency is overworked as an increasing number of companies seek licenses. It is likely that the FAA will bring additional resources on the remaining issues with the launch of Starship in South Texas to get the company flying.
Are the current licensing regulations too strict?
Probably. There are many companies trying to make a responsive space, and the FAA is trying to streamline the licensing process. It is looking for staff to increase their ability to review launch applications. The FAA took a step back in December by issuing a final rule on licensing requirements for launch and re-entry. But it is an ongoing process.
Can SpaceX just launch abroad to avoid it?
SpaceX recently acquired two very large foreign platforms to launch and land its Starship vehicle. However, it did not do so to reduce FAA licensing. Similar to SeaLaunch, the company will continue to operate under FAA regulations. Trying to start in international waters, if at all, is likely to make it more difficult for SpaceX from a regulatory standpoint.
What happens if SpaceX is launched without approval?
Uhh, no, the company is not going to be crooked. And in addition to licensing commercial launches, the FAA is also conducting an environmental review of SpaceX’s facility in South Texas for its suitability for launch by Starship and Super Heavy.
What happens then?
There are probably cooler heads, and SpaceX and the FAA are working together Friday and the weekend to get the necessary permits. Perhaps Musk will invite Monteith to view the launch of the company’s mission control facility in South Texas. This is by no means the first rodeo for Musk or Monteith, and the smart thing is that they can work it out.