SpaceX Starship Test Flights: From the First Launch to Orbit

SpaceX targets first on-orbit Starship refuelling for early 2027

SpaceX said it would attempt on-orbit refuelling early in 2027. The statement described a planned Starship refuelling demonstration.

• SpaceX · Oct 20, 2026 · We’ll attempt an on-orbit refueling early next year, and we’ll begin flying Mobile V2 and Starmind satellites in 2027.

Editor's note: The SpaceX webcast transcript dated October 20, 2026 says, “We’ll attempt an on-orbit refueling early next year,” which supports an early-2027 planned Starship refuelling demonstration.

SpaceX plans to catch both stages on Starship Flight 15

SpaceX said it expected Starship Flight 15 to occur in November 2026. The company said it would attempt to catch both the booster and the ship on that flight.

• SpaceX · Oct 20, 2026 · For Flight 15, which we expect to happen next month, we’re going to attempt to catch both the booster and the ship.
• Space.com · Oct 20, 2026 · The company will try to catch both stages of its Starship megarocket during the vehicle's next test flight, which is targeted for next month, founder and CEO Elon Musk announced during SpaceX's quarter 3 (Q3) earnings call today (Oct. 20).

Editor's note: SpaceX's October 20, 2026 transcript says Flight 15 was expected “next month” and that it would attempt to catch both the booster and ship. Space.com independently reports the same plan and identifies the announcement as made on Oct. 20.

FAA opens Starbase environmental review for expanded Starship operations

The Federal Aviation Administration opened public scoping for a programmatic environmental impact statement covering proposed SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy operations at Starbase. The PEIS will evaluate a maximum capacity of up to 456 annual launches from Starbase and up to 912 annual landings there.

• Federal Aviation Administration · Oct 14, 2026 · This PEIS will evaluate a maximum annual capacity of up to 456 annual launches originating from and up to 912 annual landings at the Boca Chica Launch Site at Starbase, TX.
• Space.com · Oct 15, 2026 · The company has requested permission to launch Starship from its Starbase site in South Texas up to 456 times per year.

Editor's note: The FAA notice dated October 14, 2026 announces its intent to prepare a PEIS and opens the public scoping period for proposed Starship-Super Heavy operations at Starbase. It states the evaluated maximum capacity is up to 456 annual launches and 912 annual landings.

Ship 40 arrives at the Port of Brownsville

Ship 40 was recorded entering the Port of Brownsville early on October 7. The port is west of Starbase.

• USA Today Network via AOL · Oct 9, 2026 · Ship 40 was recorded early Oct. 7 pulling into the Port of Brownsville just west of Starbase.

Editor's note: The cited AOL page states that Ship 40 was recorded early October 7 pulling into the Port of Brownsville, just west of Starbase. This supports both the arrival and location claims.

Ship 42 returns to Massey's for cryogenic proof testing

A report identified Ship 42 as the vehicle for Flight 15. It said Ship 42 had returned to Massey's for additional cryogenic proof testing.

• NASASpaceflight via Space Launch Schedule · Oct 9, 2026 · Ship 42 for Flight 15 has headed back out to Massey’s for more cryo-proof testing…

Editor's note: The cited page states that Ship 42 was for Flight 15 and had headed back to Massey’s for more cryogenic proof testing. It was published on 2026-10-09, which matches the node’s October 2026 date.

FAA does not require a formal Flight 14 mishap investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration determined that SpaceX did not need to conduct a formal mishap investigation after Flight 14. The determination covered events involving Ship 41 and Super Heavy Booster 21 within the authorized activity scope.

• Ars Technica · Sep 28, 2026 · The regulatory agency will not require SpaceX to conduct a formal mishap investigation.

Editor's note: The page states that the FAA will not require a formal mishap investigation and says the events involving Starship and the Super Heavy booster were within planned, FAA-authorized activities. It describes the flight as occurring on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Apparent explosion is reported after Ship 41 splashdown

Axios reported that an apparent explosion was visible shortly after Ship 41 splashed down in the Pacific. Axios said SpaceX did not provide a cause for the event.

• Axios · Sep 28, 2026 · The cause of the apparent explosion was not immediately clear, and the company didn't offer any details.

Editor's note: The Axios article says an explosion was visible just after Starship touched down in the Pacific Ocean and states that SpaceX did not offer details or an immediate cause. It is updated September 28, 2026, and describes the flight as occurring Monday, consistent with the stated date.

FAA authorizes Starship Flight 14 launch and reentry operations

The Federal Aviation Administration issued license authorization for SpaceX Starship–Super Heavy Flight 14 launch and reentry operations. Aviation Week reported the authorization on September 27.

• Aviation Week · Sep 27, 2026 · On Sept. 26, the FAA issued license authorization for the SpaceX Starship – Super Heavy Flight 14 launch and reentry operations.

Editor's note: The page states that the FAA issued the license authorization on Sept. 26 for SpaceX Starship–Super Heavy Flight 14 launch and reentry operations. It is dated September 27, 2026, matching the summary's reporting date.

SpaceX publishes Flight 14 mission objectives

SpaceX published Flight 14 mission objectives. The objectives included a first orbital insertion maneuver, deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites, a single-engine deorbit burn, and a controlled Pacific Ocean splashdown.

• SpaceX · Sep 25, 2026 · The Starship upper stage’s primary objectives include the first orbital insertion maneuver, the deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites, a deorbit burn using a single Raptor engine while in space, and a controlled reentry, descent, and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Editor's note: The page was readable and explicitly lists the stated Starship upper-stage objectives, including orbital insertion, deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites, a single-Raptor deorbit burn, and controlled Pacific splashdown. Its published time is September 25, 2026, matching the node date.

SpaceX completes a wet dress rehearsal for Starship Flight 14

SpaceX completed a wet dress rehearsal for its next Starship flight. The rehearsal was conducted before Starship Flight 14.

• Space.com · Sep 24, 2026 · “SpaceX announced this afternoon (Sept. 24) that it has completed a wet dress rehearsal (WDR) for the next flight of Starship, the huge, fully reusable rocket it's developing to help humanity settle the moon and Mars.”

Editor's note: The page states that SpaceX completed a wet dress rehearsal on Sept. 24, 2026, ahead of Starship's planned 14th test flight. The quoted sentence appears verbatim apart from quotation-mark formatting.

SpaceX stacks Ship 41 atop Super Heavy Booster 21 for Flight 14

SpaceX assembled a Starship-Super Heavy vehicle on the launch pad at Starbase. Ship 41 was stacked with Super Heavy Booster 21 for Starship Flight 14.

• Spaceflight Now · Sep 23, 2026 · “SpaceX assembled a Starship-Super Heavy rocket on the launch pad at Starbase in south Texas early Wednesday as it awaited approval for the vehicle’s first orbital flight.”
• Space.com · Sep 23, 2026 · “The two were stacked before the sun rose on the South Texas launch facility and are undergoing final checkouts before SpaceX performs a key fueling test known as a wet dress rehearsal, which is expected sometime Thursday (Sept. 24).”

Editor's note: The page states that Ship 41 was placed atop Super Heavy Booster 21 at Starbase for Starship Flight 14. It is dated September 23, 2026 and describes the stacking as occurring early Wednesday.

Flight 14 slips from September 22 to September 28

SpaceX moved the target date for Starship Flight 14, the first flight planned to reach orbit, from September 22 to September 28, and gave no reason for the delay. The 75-minute launch window opens at 8:15 a.m. EDT from Starbase, and SpaceX said the attempt remained pending regulatory approval.

• Space.com · Sep 17, 2026 · Today (Sept. 17), however, SpaceX announced a new launch date — Sept. 28. It gave no explanation for the delay.

SpaceX sets September 22 as Flight 14's earliest launch target

SpaceX said Starship Flight 14 could launch as early as September 22, pending regulatory approval. Space.com reported that September 22 was the original target date when it updated its coverage on September 17.

• Ars Technica · Sep 15, 2026 · “Pending regulatory approval, SpaceX said today it intends to launch its 14th Starship mission as early as September 22.”
• Space.com · Sep 17, 2026 · “Editor's note: This story was updated at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. It first ran on Sept. 15 with the original target launch date of Sept. 22.”

Editor's note: Ars Technica states that, pending regulatory approval, SpaceX intended Flight 14 to launch as early as September 22. Space.com says its story was updated on September 17 and had originally run on September 15 with September 22 as the target date.

FAA lists September 18 primary window for Starship Flight 14

The Federal Aviation Administration operational plan listed a September 18, 2026 primary launch window for Starship Flight 14, with September 19 as backup. Spaceflight Now reported that the mission had been delayed from September 15.

• Federal Aviation Administration · Sep 14, 2026 · SPACEX STARSHIP FLT-14, STARBASE, TX PRIMARY: 09/18/26 1215Z-1414Z BACKUP: 09/19/26 1215Z-1414Z
• Spaceflight Now · Delayed from Sept. 15.

Editor's note: Hand-checked: the Flight 14 line is on the FAA operational-plan advisory for 2026-09-10 exactly as quoted (the stored quote had picked up a trailing period the advisory does not carry), and "Delayed from Sept. 15." is verbatim on the Spaceflight Now mission page. The verifier objected only that the FAA page does not itself mention Spaceflight Now.

SpaceX says Flight 14 is planned as a revenue-generating mission

SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen said Starship Flight 14 was planned as a revenue-generating flight carrying production Starlink V3 satellites to orbit, the first of the programme.

• Stock Analysis transcript · Sep 10, 2026 · Then we've got another flight coming up later this month for flight 14, which for the CFO is very exciting because it's going to be a revenue-generating flight.

Editor's note: Verified against the conference transcript. A second citation was dropped in review: the quoted sentence is not on the Benzinga page.

FAA publishes notice on expanded Starship contingency reentry operations

The Federal Aviation Administration published notice that its final environmental assessment and FONSI/ROD for expanded Starship contingency-reentry operations and an additional Starbase landing trajectory were available. The notice stated that SpaceX must obtain a vehicle-operator-license modification before using additional Pacific Ocean contingency landing areas.

• Federal Aviation Administration / Federal Register · Sep 4, 2026 · SpaceX must obtain a modification to their existing vehicle operator license from the FAA to authorize the expenditure of the Starship vehicle in additional downrange contingency landing areas within the Pacific Ocean.
• Aviation Week · Sep 2, 2026 · The FAA on Sept. 2 expanded the geographic and operational envelope for upcoming SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy flights from Boca Chica Beach, Texas.

Editor's note: The notice announces the availability of the Final Tiered EA and FONSI/ROD for Starship Pacific Ocean contingency reentry operations and an additional Starbase landing trajectory. It is scheduled for Federal Register publication on 2026-09-04 and contains the quoted license-modification requirement.

Ship 41 static fires for Flight 14, planned as Starship's first orbital launch; ship catch deferred

Ship 41 completed a single-engine burn simulating a deorbit and a 60-second six-engine static fire at Massey's, clearing the way for Flight 14 in September, the first mission meant to put Starship into orbit and carry operational Starlink V3 satellites. Musk said a return-to-tower catch of the ship would now come in a few months, so both stages were expected to splash down. A V3 booster catch had not yet been tried. Booster 21 followed with a full-duration 33-engine static fire on the pad on August 28.

• Space.com · Aug 21, 2026 · As its name suggests, Flight 14 will be Starship's 14th test flight, but it will be the rocket's first launch into orbit, if all goes according to plan.
• Space.com · Aug 28, 2026 · The company conducted an engine test with Starship's giant first-stage booster, known as Super Heavy, on the launch pad at its Starbase site in South Texas on Friday (Aug. 28).

Ship 40 reaches sheltered waters off Christmas Island

SpaceX recovery personnel guided Ship 40 to a location off Christmas Island. The vehicle was awaiting inspection offshore.

• ABC News · Aug 19, 2026 · The SpaceX Recovery team successfully guided Starship to a location just off the coast of Christmas Island
• Space.com · The massive, 171-foot-tall (52 meters) spacecraft now floats just offshore of Christmas Island, awaiting inspection.

Editor's note: Both cited pages state that the SpaceX Recovery team guided Ship 40 to waters just off Christmas Island. Space.com also says it was awaiting inspection, and identifies the relevant SpaceX update as August 18, 2026. Quote trimmed in review: the stored version ended in a full stop the page does not have, where the sentence closes with a comma inside the quotation marks.

Attempt to tow the Flight 13 ship to shore fails in rough seas

Two weeks after splashdown SpaceX was still trying to guide the 52-metre ship to port in Western Australia when Musk said recovery was not looking good; the team had already photographed critical parts of the heatshield and engines up close. The ship's survival of the splashdown prompted talk of catching a ship at the tower on a coming flight.

• Space.com · Aug 7, 2026 · "Unfortunately, ship recovery is not looking good right now. Nonetheless, we were able to obtain close-up photos of critical regions of the heat shield and engines for future upgrades," Musk wrote this afternoon via X, the social media site he owns.

NASA specifies V3 lander test article for Artemis III

NASA said the 2027 Artemis III Earth-orbit demonstration would use a Starship Version 3 lander test article with a nose docking system. The test would evaluate Orion and Starship interactions during rendezvous and docking operations.

• NASA · Jul 15, 2026 · SpaceX’s Starship lander test article will use a Starship Version 3, currently in production and testing, with an added docking system installed on the nose of the 171-foot (52-m) spacecraft, enabling NASA and SpaceX to evaluate how the entire integrated stack of Orion and the Starship test lander interact.

Editor's note: The NASA page, published July 15, 2026, states that Artemis III's 2027 demonstration will use a Starship Version 3 test article with a nose-mounted docking system. It says the mission will evaluate Orion–Starship integrated-stack interactions during rendezvous and docking operations.

FAA closes the Flight 12 booster mishap investigation, clearing Flight 13

On May 27 the FAA had determined that the loss of the Super Heavy booster on its return during Flight 12 was a mishap requiring an investigation. On July 13 it accepted SpaceX's final report, which identified heat effects on propulsion components and engine-alarm settings as probable causes, and said SpaceX could proceed with Flight 13 once licensing requirements were met.

• Federal Aviation Administration · Jul 13, 2026 · SpaceX can proceed with Starship Flight 13 launch operations provided all safety and other licensing requirements are met.
• Federal Aviation Administration · May 27, 2026 · After a thorough assessment of the operation, the FAA has determined the May 22 SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch resulted in a mishap.

Editor's note: The FAA page contains a July 13, 2026 statement closing the SpaceX Starship Flight 12 mishap investigation and allowing Flight 13 operations subject to safety and licensing requirements. It identifies heat effects on propulsion-system components and erroneous engine-alarm settings as the two most probable root causes.

NASA OIG reports at least two-year HLS development delay

NASA's Office of Inspector General reported that SpaceX's Artemis III Starship development had been delayed at least two years since the July 2021 contract award. The report identified vehicle-to-vehicle cryogenic-propellant transfer as a major HLS milestone.

• NASA Office of Inspector General · Mar 10, 2026 · Since award of the Appendix H, Option A contract in July 2021, SpaceX’s development of the Artemis III Starship has been delayed at least 2 years, with additional delays expected.

Editor's note: The report is dated March 10, 2026 and contains the quoted statement verbatim. It also describes the vehicle-to-vehicle cryogenic propellant transfer test as Starship's next major milestone.

FAA clears Flight 10 after Flight 9 investigation

The FAA closed the Flight 9 mishap investigation and stated that SpaceX could proceed with Flight 10 launch operations. The regulator identified failure of a fuel component as the probable cause of the Starship loss.

• Federal Aviation Administration · Aug 15, 2025 · SpaceX can now proceed with Starship Flight 10 launch operations under its current license.

responded to FAA opens Flight 9 investigation for Starship loss.

Editor's note: The FAA page states that the Flight 9 mishap investigation was closed, identifies a fuel-component failure as the probable root cause of the Starship loss, and says SpaceX can proceed with Flight 10 under its current license. The statement is dated August 15, 2025.

Ship 36 explodes on the test stand at Starbase while loading propellant for a static fire

The ship assigned to Flight 10 was destroyed at about 11 p.m. CT during propellant loading for a six-engine static fire, damaging the Massey's test site. SpaceX identified the most probable cause as undetected damage to a nitrogen composite pressure vessel in the payload bay, and responded by lowering COPV operating pressure, adding inspections and proof tests, new acceptance criteria and protective covers. Flight 10 slipped to late August with a different ship.

• SpaceX · Jun 19, 2025 · The vehicle was in the process of loading cryogenic propellant for a six-engine static fire when a sudden energetic event resulted in the complete loss of Starship and damage to the immediate area surrounding the stand.

FAA closes Flight 8 mishap investigation

The FAA closed the Flight 8 mishap investigation after accepting eight corrective actions. The final report attributed the Starship loss to a Raptor hardware failure that caused propellant mixing and ignition.

• Federal Aviation Administration · Jun 12, 2025 · The final mishap report cites the probable root cause for the loss of the Starship vehicle as a hardware failure in one of the raptor engines that resulted in inadvertent propellant mixing and ignition.

responded to Flight 8: third booster catch, Starship lost again after an engine bay event.

Editor's note: The FAA page’s June 12, 2025 statement says the Flight 8 mishap investigation was closed, that the FAA accepted the SpaceX-led investigation findings, and that SpaceX identified eight corrective actions. It contains the quoted root-cause language, including Raptor hardware failure, inadvertent propellant mixing, and ignition.

FAA opens Flight 9 investigation for Starship loss

The FAA required a mishap investigation focused on the Flight 9 Starship loss. It treated the Super Heavy loss as a test-induced-damage exception.

• Federal Aviation Administration · May 30, 2025 · The mishap investigation is focused only on the loss of the Starship vehicle which did not complete its launch or reentry as planned.

was answered by FAA clears Flight 10 after Flight 9 investigation.

Editor's note: The page’s May 30, 2025 statement says the FAA required SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation for Starship Flight 9. It specifies that the investigation concerned only the Starship loss and that the Super Heavy loss fell under an approved test-induced-damage exception.

Flight 9: first reflown Super Heavy; the booster breaks up in its landing burn and Starship tumbles before reentry

The booster from Flight 7 flew again, the first reuse in the programme, completed a full ascent and a high angle-of-attack descent experiment, then broke up shortly after starting its landing burn over the Gulf. Starship reached space but its payload door would not open, an attitude control failure cancelled the engine relight, and the ship entered the atmosphere out of control and was lost about 46 minutes in. SpaceX later traced the ship failure to a fuel tank pressurisation diffuser and the booster loss to loads on the fuel transfer tube.

• SpaceX · May 27, 2025 · The Super Heavy booster supporting the mission made the first ever reflight in the Starship program, having previously launched on Starship’s seventh flight test in January 2025.

FAA authorizes Flight 9 before Flight 8 closure

The FAA issued a Starship return-to-flight determination and authorized Flight 9 for launch. The Flight 8 investigation had not yet been formally closed.

• Federal Aviation Administration · May 22, 2025 · With the Starship vehicle return to flight determination, Starship Flight 9 is authorized for launch.

Editor's note: The page’s May 22, 2025 statement says the FAA made a Starship return-to-flight determination and authorized Flight 9 for launch. The same page states on May 15 that the Flight 8 investigation remained open and lists its formal closure later, on June 12, 2025.

FAA environmental approval lets SpaceX launch Starship from Starbase 25 times a year

The FAA's final tiered environmental assessment found that raising the Starbase launch cadence from five to 25 a year, with up to 25 landings of each stage, would not significantly affect the human environment, so no environmental impact statement was needed. Up to three launches could be at night, with night landings only offshore. The decision matched a draft issued the previous November.

• Space.com · May 6, 2025 · The report grants SpaceX's request to boost the number of Starship launches from Starbase per year by a factor of five, to 25.
• Federal Aviation Administration · May 6, 2025 · SpaceX’s Proposed Action is to increase the cadence of the Starship/Super Heavy launch program at the Boca Chica vertical launch area (VLA) in Cameron County, Texas to up to 25 annual launches and 50 total annual landings (25 of the Starship and 25 of the Super Heavy) and make vehicle and operational upgrades.

Editor's note: Official source added: https://www.faa.gov/media/94336

FAA closes Flight 7 mishap investigation

The FAA closed the Flight 7 mishap investigation and accepted 11 SpaceX corrective actions. The final report attributed the Starship loss to flight vibrations that stressed and failed propulsion-system hardware.

• Federal Aviation Administration · Mar 31, 2025 · The final mishap report cites the probable root cause for the loss of the Starship vehicle was stronger than anticipated vibrations during flight led to increased stress on, and failure of, the hardware in the propulsion system.

Editor's note: The page states that the FAA-required Flight 7 investigation was closed on March 28, 2025, accepted the SpaceX-led investigation findings, and that SpaceX identified 11 corrective actions. It gives the quoted probable root cause verbatim.

Flight 8: third booster catch, Starship lost again after an engine bay event

Super Heavy was caught for the third time, but before the end of its ascent burn Starship suffered an energetic event in its aft section that took out several Raptors, followed by loss of attitude control and contact about nine and a half minutes in. Debris fell over the Bahamas and the FAA briefly held flights at Florida airports. It was the second consecutive loss of a Block 2 ship, and the FAA again required an investigation.

• SpaceX · Mar 6, 2025 · Prior to the end of the ascent burn, an energetic event in the aft portion of Starship resulted in the loss of several Raptor engines.

was answered by FAA closes Flight 8 mishap investigation.

FAA lets Starship return to flight while the Flight 7 investigation stays open, and licenses Flight 8

After a safety review the FAA determined Starship could return to flight operations while the mishap investigation into the January 16 loss of the Flight 7 ship remained open, and the same day issued a licence modification for Flight 8, covering a Super Heavy tower catch attempt and a Starship water landing in the Indian Ocean. The pattern of flying before an investigation formally closed recurred on later flights.

• Federal Aviation Administration · Feb 26, 2025 · After completing the required and comprehensive safety review, the FAA determined the SpaceX Starship vehicle can return to flight operations while the investigation into the Jan. 16 Starship Flight 7 mishap remains open.
• Federal Aviation Administration · Feb 26, 2025 · The FAA issued a license modification authorizing the SpaceX Starship Flight 8 launch.

responded to Flight 7: second booster catch, but the upgraded Starship is lost and debris falls over Turks and Caicos.

Editor's note: The page states that on Feb. 26 the FAA determined Starship could return to flight while the Flight 7 investigation remained open, following a comprehensive safety review. The quoted language appears on the page.

Flight 6: catch aborted by tower health checks, first in-space Raptor relight, daylight splashdown

Automated health checks on the launch and catch tower aborted the second catch attempt, so the booster diverted to a soft splashdown in the Gulf. Starship reignited a Raptor engine in space for the first time, a prerequisite for deorbit burns on orbital missions, flew a more aggressive angle of attack through the subsonic phase and splashed down in the Indian Ocean in daylight. President-elect Trump watched the launch with Musk at Starbase.

• SpaceX · Nov 19, 2024 · During this phase, automated health checks of critical hardware on the launch and catch tower triggered an abort of the catch attempt.

FAA permits Starship return during Flight 3 investigation

The FAA determined Starship could return to flight operations while the Flight 3 investigation remained open. The determination remained subject to other license requirements.

• Federal Aviation Administration · May 24, 2024 · This public safety determination means the Starship vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met.

responded to Flight 3: Starship completes its ascent burn, opens the payload door and reenters for the first time before breaking up.

Editor's note: The FAA page states that, after its review, Starship could return to flight while the Flight 3 investigation remained open, subject to all other license requirements. It says the FAA notified SpaceX of the positive determination on May 24, 2024.

Flight 3: Starship completes its ascent burn, opens the payload door and reenters for the first time before breaking up

The third flight put Starship on its planned near-orbital trajectory for the first time, opened and closed the payload door and ran an internal propellant transfer demonstration, though the planned in-space Raptor relight was skipped because of roll rates. The booster lit several engines for its first landing burn before breaking up at about 462 m. Starship's first entry from space, streamed live over Starlink, ended with loss of signal about 49 minutes into the flight. NASA said the propellant transfer demonstration operations, a milestone under the Artemis lander contract, were completed and the joint team was reviewing the data.

• SpaceX · Mar 14, 2024 · Starship went on to experience its first ever entry from space, providing valuable data on heating and vehicle control during hypersonic reentry.
• NASA · Mar 14, 2024 · The propellant transfer demonstration operations were completed, and the NASA-SpaceX team is currently reviewing the flight data that was received.

was answered by FAA permits Starship return during Flight 3 investigation.

FAA closes the Flight 1 mishap investigation with 63 corrective actions before a second launch

The FAA said SpaceX must implement every corrective action affecting public safety and obtain a licence modification before flying again; the actions included hardware redesigns to prevent leaks and fires, a more robust launch pad, extra design reviews, more testing of the autonomous flight safety system and tighter change control. SpaceX, which had already stacked Ship 25 on Booster 9, said it had built a hot-staging separation system and electric thrust vector control for the next flight. The licence came on November 15.

• Spaceflight Now · Sep 8, 2023 · “SpaceX must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and apply for and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next Starship launch,” the FAA said in a statement.
• Federal Aviation Administration · Sep 8, 2023 · The final report cites multiple root causes of the April 20, 2023, mishap and 63 corrective actions SpaceX must take to prevent mishap reoccurrence.

Editor's note: Official source added: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-closes-spacex-starship-mishap-investigation

FAA completes Starbase environmental review

The FAA published its Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Starship/Super Heavy operations at Boca Chica. It issued a mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision and required mitigation measures for future licenses or permits.

• Federal Aviation Administration · Jun 13, 2022 · The FAA determined that the Proposed Action would not result in significant environmental consequences and has issued a Mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD).

Editor's note: The page states that the FAA published the Final PEA and Mitigated FONSI/ROD for the Boca Chica Starship/Super Heavy program on June 13, 2022. It also contains the quoted determination and says required mitigation measures would be conditions for any future license or permit.