[Reading Science] Rocket Launch Area Devastated... Starship Ultimately Faces Investigation

US FAA Notifies 'Accident Investigation' Immediately After Test Launch on the 20th

On the 20th (local time), Starship, the most powerful launch vehicle ever, which had turned the surrounding area into a wasteland during its test launch, ultimately became the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA has taken a tough stance, stating that additional safety measures are necessary and that it will not grant permission for a relaunch until the investigation is complete, drawing significant attention.

The FAA stepped in on the day of the launch. Immediately after SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, conducted the first test launch of the fully assembled Starship?the most powerful rocket ever developed for Mars exploration?it issued a statement announcing the start of a "mishap investigation." It specifically stated that additional launches must be halted until it is confirmed that there is no impact on public safety.

In its statement, the FAA said that the launch experienced "an abnormal situation during ascent and just before stage separation, resulting in the loss of the vehicle," but "no casualties or public property damage have been reported." However, it made clear its intention to consider the damage to residents caused by the launch as an "accident" and to investigate it. The FAA explained, "We will oversee the mishap investigation of the Starship test launch," adding, "We have a responsibility to protect the public during the launch and reentry operations of commercial space launch vehicles." It warned that SpaceX should not proceed with additional launches until the investigation results are finalized. The FAA emphasized, "The resumption of Starship test launches will be determined based on our assessment of whether the systems, processes, or procedures related to this mishap affect public safety," noting that "this is standard practice for all mishap investigations."

Furthermore, upon confirming that dust and debris spread much farther than expected, the FAA had to activate an "emergency response plan." This means that SpaceX must implement enhanced environmental protection measures beyond the existing plan to obtain permission for the next Starship launch.

This firm stance by the FAA reflects the immense power of Starship's first test launch. As the first-ever "Interplanetary Transport System" being developed in human history, Starship boasts tremendous capabilities. It is designed to deliver 100 to 150 tons of cargo to low Earth orbit while carrying up to 100 people, generating a thrust of 7,500 tons. The core first stage, the "Super Heavy booster," consists of 33 Raptor engines, each producing 230 tons of thrust. This is far more powerful than NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), which previously held the record with a cargo capacity of 105 tons and thrust of about 4,000 tons.

Accordingly, the first stage of Starship emits combustion gases under tremendous pressure and extremely high-temperature flames. Strong vibrations and dust generation are inevitable. During this test launch, massive dust clouds and debris were blown off, covering Port Isabel, located about 10 km from the launch pad. Moreover, four minutes after launch, at an altitude of 39 km, the first stage engines shut down and the second stage separation procedure failed, causing the vehicle to self-destruct and scatter thousands of fragments over tens of kilometers along the nearby Gulf of Mexico coastline. The launch pad built by SpaceX itself also suffered significant damage. The flames from the rocket were so hot that the concrete of the launch pad cracked and melted, creating a large, deep hole.

On the 20th (local time), a car was destroyed by the launch storm of the most powerful rocket, Starship, launched from SpaceX's space base Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, USA. Photo by Twitter

Particularly problematic was that SpaceX’s own spaceport, Starbase, from which Starship was launched, is located within a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge home to approximately 2,500 species. The U.S. space news outlet Space.com pointed out, "Dust and debris were scattered over an area of about 10 km, including the launch pad and Boca Chica Beach, which serve as sanctuaries for endangered species such as sea turtles and birds." Residents also suffered damage. Dave Cortes, a branch chief of an environmental protection organization, told CNBC in an interview, "Residents of Port Isabel reported that windows in schools, homes, and offices were broken and covered with ash-like particles," and claimed, "Concrete debris from the launch pad flew like shrapnel toward nearby fuel storage tanks, nearly causing an explosion."

While the rocket itself was powerful, SpaceX’s preparations were inadequate. Other large rocket launch pads install pads filled with water or foam on the pad floor to suppress the effects of flames and shockwaves. Separate trenches are dug to safely discharge the high-pressure combustion gases expelled during fuel combustion. However, neither of these measures was applied to this test launch pad.

SpaceX, which has already announced plans to relaunch within one to two months, acknowledged this point and stated it is preparing without delay. Musk posted on Twitter on the morning of the 22nd, saying, "We started preparing a large-scale water-cooled metal plate three months ago, but it was not ready in time," and added, "We expect to conduct a relaunch within one to two months."