{"id":9369,"date":"2026-05-26T21:31:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T21:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=9369"},"modified":"2026-05-26T21:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T21:31:33","slug":"no-faa-mishap-declaration-yet-on-spacex-starship-booster-anomaly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=9369","title":{"rendered":"No FAA \u2018mishap\u2019 declaration yet on SpaceX Starship booster anomaly"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

SpaceX\u2019s first Starship mission of 2026 was mostly successful Friday, but the Super Heavy booster didn\u2019t perform as expected, instead crashing into Gulf waters off the coast of Texas.<\/p>\n

Read more Pretend City grows young artists with Wonder Studio<\/a><\/p>\n

Shortly after the upper stage separated from the booster, its 33 Raptor engines cut out and no controlled landing could be performed as originally planned.<\/p>\n

While this flight\u2019s booster wasn\u2019t set to return to the launch site as previous Starship flights had achieved, SpaceX did expect the booster to go through a controlled return that would have seen it hover over the water before the engines cut out.<\/p>\n

Instead, without any engines, it fell like a missile into the Gulf.<\/p>\n

The Federal Aviation Administration has in the past grounded Starship after issues seen during flight, but for now no such determination has been made.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe FAA is aware an anomaly occurred during the SpaceX Starship Flight 12 mission that launched from Starbase, Texas, on May 22,\u201d the FAA released in an emailed statement. \u201cThe anomaly involved the Super Heavy booster during its flyback over the Gulf \u2026 There are no reports of public injury or damage to public property.\u202f\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement said the FAA was continuing to assess the operation, though.<\/p>\n

\u201cA mishap determination has not been made at this time,\u201d it stated.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

After the incident, the FAA activated a Debris Response Area, and notes that all of the booster debris fell within the hazard area.<\/p>\n

Read more Supreme Court rejects Meta\u2019s appeal in Vermont social media addiction case<\/a><\/p>\n

As far as the launch\u2019s effect on air traffic, the FAA stated there were\u00a0six departure delays, five airborne holding events and no aircraft diversions.<\/p>\n

\n

SpaceX Starship launch muscles through engine issue, makes explosive yet successful landing<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n