Transportation

SpaceX Gets List of Starship Upgrades Needed Before Launch

Musk-led company says it’s addressed many of the issues
SpaceX working to stage third test flight of colossal rocket

A person looks on as SpaceX's huge Super Heavy-Starship sits on the launchpad at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.
Photographer: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

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By Aashna Shah

February 26, 2024 at 10:33 PM UTC

Updated on

February 26, 2024 at 11:59 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

US air safety regulators concluded a mishap investigation into SpaceX’s most recent Starship explosion in November, laying out the issues the Elon Musk-led company must address before it can attempt to launch the rocket for a third time.

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered 17 corrective actions, including hardware redesigns for its Super Heavy Booster and additional fire protection and upgrades for its Starship vehicle.