{ "data_version": "1", "schema": "https://whatledto.com/data", "id": "faa", "name": "FAA", "kind": "regulator", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/faa", "description": "Licenses Starship launches and leads mishap investigations.", "same_as": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Aviation_Administration", "https://www.faa.gov/" ], "timelines": [ { "slug": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "title": "SpaceX Starship Test Flights: From the First Launch to Orbit", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights.json", "role": "Licenses each launch and runs mishap investigations when flights fail.", "entries": 18, "updated_at": "2026-10-22T03:13:12.906611+00:00" }, { "slug": "spacex-ipo", "title": "SpaceX Goes Public: From the $350 Billion Tender Offer to the Largest IPO Ever and the Lockups", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-ipo", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-ipo.json", "role": "Opened public scoping for the supplemental environmental impact statement.", "entries": 0, "updated_at": "2026-10-15T07:13:46.632065+00:00" }, { "slug": "us-canada-trade-war", "title": "The US–Canada Trade War: From the Fentanyl Tariffs to Section 338 and Dollar-for-Dollar Retaliation", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-canada-trade-war", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-canada-trade-war.json", "role": "U.S. aviation regulator whose role makes the enforcement of a Bombardier sales prohibition unclear.", "entries": 0, "updated_at": "2026-10-14T06:23:01.265281+00:00" } ], "entries": [ { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 2214, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n2214", "date": "2026-10-14", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA opens Starbase environmental review for expanded Starship operations", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Super Heavy" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "super-heavy" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-10-14/html/2026-20963.htm", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2026-10-14", "quote": "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." }, { "url": "https://space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-wants-to-launch-starship-more-than-450-times-per-year-from-south-texas", "outlet": "Space.com", "published": "2026-10-15", "quote": "The company has requested permission to launch Starship from its Starbase site in South Texas up to 456 times per year." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 1579, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n1579", "date": "2026-09-28", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA does not require a formal Flight 14 mishap investigation", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship Flight 14", "Ship 41", "Super Heavy Booster 21" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship-flight-14", "ship-41", "super-heavy-booster-21" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/09/starships-first-orbital-launch-gives-lift-to-spacexs-next-gen-starlinks/", "outlet": "Ars Technica", "published": "2026-09-28", "quote": "The regulatory agency will not require SpaceX to conduct a formal mishap investigation." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 1571, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n1571", "date": "2026-09-26", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA authorizes Starship Flight 14 launch and reentry operations", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship Flight 14" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship-flight-14" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://aviationweek.com/space/launch-vehicles-propulsion/faa-clears-spacex-starship-14-flight", "outlet": "Aviation Week", "published": "2026-09-27", "quote": "On Sept. 26, the FAA issued license authorization for the SpaceX Starship – Super Heavy Flight 14 launch and reentry operations." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 1184, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n1184", "date": "2026-09-14", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA lists September 18 primary window for Starship Flight 14", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship Flight 14" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship-flight-14" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/adv_spt?pubDate=20260910", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2026-09-14", "quote": "SPACEX STARSHIP FLT-14, STARBASE, TX PRIMARY: 09/18/26 1215Z-1414Z BACKUP: 09/19/26 1215Z-1414Z" }, { "url": "https://spaceflightnow.com/launch/starship-flight-14/", "outlet": "Spaceflight Now", "published": null, "quote": "Delayed from Sept. 15." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 672, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n672", "date": "2026-09-04", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA publishes notice on expanded Starship contingency reentry operations", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Super Heavy" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "super-heavy" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-18135.pdf", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration / Federal Register", "published": "2026-09-04", "quote": "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." }, { "url": "https://aviationweek.com/space/operations-safety/faa-authorizes-wider-swath-starship-ops", "outlet": "Aviation Week", "published": "2026-09-02", "quote": "The FAA on Sept. 2 expanded the geographic and operational envelope for upcoming SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy flights from Boca Chica Beach, Texas." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 326, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n326", "date": "2026-07-13", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA closes the Flight 12 booster mishap investigation, clearing Flight 13", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Super Heavy", "Flight 12", "Flight 13" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "super-heavy", "flight-12", "flight-13" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2026-07-13", "quote": "SpaceX can proceed with Starship Flight 13 launch operations provided all safety and other licensing requirements are met." }, { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2026-05-27", "quote": "After a thorough assessment of the operation, the FAA has determined the May 22 SpaceX Starship Flight 12 launch resulted in a mishap." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 323, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n323", "date": "2025-08-15", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA clears Flight 10 after Flight 9 investigation", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Flight 9", "Flight 10" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "flight-9", "flight-10" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2025-08-15", "quote": "SpaceX can now proceed with Starship Flight 10 launch operations under its current license." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 322, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n322", "date": "2025-06-12", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA closes Flight 8 mishap investigation", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Raptor", "Flight 8", "Flight 9" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "raptor", "flight-8", "flight-9" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2025-06-12", "quote": "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." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 321, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n321", "date": "2025-05-30", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA opens Flight 9 investigation for Starship loss", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Super Heavy", "Flight 9" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "super-heavy", "flight-9" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2025-05-30", "quote": "The mishap investigation is focused only on the loss of the Starship vehicle which did not complete its launch or reentry as planned." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 320, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n320", "date": "2025-05-22", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA authorizes Flight 9 before Flight 8 closure", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Flight 8", "Flight 9" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "flight-8", "flight-9" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2025-05-22", "quote": "With the Starship vehicle return to flight determination, Starship Flight 9 is authorized for launch." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 301, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n301", "date": "2025-05-06", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA environmental approval lets SpaceX launch Starship from Starbase 25 times a year", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starbase" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starbase" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.space.com/space-exploration/private-spaceflight/spacex-gets-faa-approval-for-25-starship-launches-per-year", "outlet": "Space.com", "published": "2025-05-06", "quote": "The report grants SpaceX's request to boost the number of Starship launches from Starbase per year by a factor of five, to 25." }, { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/media/94336", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2025-05-06", "quote": "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." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 318, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n318", "date": "2025-03-28", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA closes Flight 7 mishap investigation", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Flight 7", "Turks and Caicos Islands" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "flight-7", "turks-and-caicos-islands" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2025-03-31", "quote": "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." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 300, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n300", "date": "2025-03-06", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Flight 8: third booster catch, Starship lost again after an engine bay event", "summary": "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.", "type": "launch", "entities": [ "SpaceX", "Starship", "Super Heavy", "FAA" ], "parties": [ "spacex", "starship", "super-heavy", "faa" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-8", "outlet": "SpaceX", "published": "2025-03-06", "quote": "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." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 316, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n316", "date": "2025-02-26", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA lets Starship return to flight while the Flight 7 investigation stays open, and licenses Flight 8", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Flight 7" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "flight-7" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2025-02-26", "quote": "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." }, { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2025-02-26", "quote": "The FAA issued a license modification authorizing the SpaceX Starship Flight 8 launch." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 299, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n299", "date": "2025-01-16", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Flight 7: second booster catch, but the upgraded Starship is lost and debris falls over Turks and Caicos", "summary": "The first flight of the redesigned Block 2 ship ended after about eight and a half minutes when a fire in the aft section caused the vehicle to break apart, with debris visible from the Turks and Caicos Islands and airliners diverted. The booster was caught by the tower for the second time. SpaceX opened an investigation with the FAA and set up a debris hotline; the FAA required a mishap investigation before the next flight.", "type": "launch", "entities": [ "SpaceX", "Starship", "Super Heavy", "FAA" ], "parties": [ "spacex", "starship", "super-heavy", "faa" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-7", "outlet": "SpaceX", "published": "2025-01-16", "quote": "Initial data indicates a fire developed in the aft section of the ship, leading to a rapid unscheduled disassembly." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 313, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n313", "date": "2024-05-24", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA permits Starship return during Flight 3 investigation", "summary": "The FAA determined Starship could return to flight operations while the Flight 3 investigation remained open. The determination remained subject to other license requirements.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Flight 3" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "flight-3" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2024-05-24", "quote": "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." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 293, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n293", "date": "2023-09-08", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA closes the Flight 1 mishap investigation with 63 corrective actions before a second launch", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/09/08/faa-concludes-starship-mishap-investigation-63-corrective-actions-needed-before-second-flight/", "outlet": "Spaceflight Now", "published": "2023-09-08", "quote": "“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." }, { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-closes-spacex-starship-mishap-investigation", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2023-09-08", "quote": "The final report cites multiple root causes of the April 20, 2023, mishap and 63 corrective actions SpaceX must take to prevent mishap reoccurrence." } ] }, { "timeline": "spacex-starship-test-flights", "id": 311, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/spacex-starship-test-flights#n311", "date": "2022-06-13", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FAA completes Starbase environmental review", "summary": "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.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "FAA", "SpaceX", "Starship", "Super Heavy", "Starbase", "Boca Chica" ], "parties": [ "faa", "spacex", "starship", "super-heavy", "starbase", "boca-chica" ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship/activity_archive", "outlet": "Federal Aviation Administration", "published": "2022-06-13", "quote": "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)." } ] } ], "often_with": [ { "id": "spacex", "name": "SpaceX", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/spacex", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/spacex.json", "shared_timelines": 2 }, { "id": "elon-musk", "name": "Elon Musk", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/elon-musk", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/elon-musk.json", "shared_timelines": 2 }, { "id": "goldman-sachs", "name": "Goldman Sachs", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/goldman-sachs", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/goldman-sachs.json", "shared_timelines": 2 }, { "id": "bret-johnsen", "name": "Bret Johnsen", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/bret-johnsen", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/bret-johnsen.json", "shared_timelines": 2 }, { "id": "nasa", "name": "NASA", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/nasa", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/nasa.json", "shared_timelines": 2 }, { "id": "at-t", "name": "AT&T", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/at-t", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/at-t.json", "shared_timelines": 1 }, { "id": "bloomberg", "name": "Bloomberg", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/bloomberg", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/bloomberg.json", "shared_timelines": 1 }, { "id": "nvidia", "name": "Nvidia", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/nvidia", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/nvidia.json", "shared_timelines": 1 } ], "license": { "holder": "What Led To", "terms": "https://whatledto.com/methodology#reuse", "summary": "Quote entries with attribution and a link to the entry; do not republish whole timelines or train models on the text." } }