The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) orders SpaceX to investigate a mishap involving its Starship booster during a recent test flight. According to the FAA, the booster “lost control” and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico during the flight, which is identified by outlets as Starship Flight 12. After reviewing the event, the FAA determines the launch “resulted in a mishap” and that the outcome involved a failed operation, prompting regulatory action.
The FAA’s order requires SpaceX to carry out an investigation into the causes of the incident and to report findings as part of the agency’s oversight of commercial spaceflight safety. The reporting from multiple outlets characterises the FAA’s decision as a formal step following the regulator’s assessment of the test flight’s performance and the circumstances leading to the loss of control and crash. The FAA announcement provides the basis for the investigation order, while SpaceX’s activities following the directive are expected to focus on understanding what went wrong during the booster phase and how similar issues can be prevented in future flights.
