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Obstacles on the Road to Space: Why Will FAA Regulation Affect SpaceX's Launch Progress?
On October 13, 2024, SpaceX's fifth Starship flight test was carried out in the vast sky of the United States. This key test not only demonstrated SpaceX's technological progress, but also highlighted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s role in aerospace. key role in development. The prototypes involved in this test are Starship Ship 30 and Super Heavy Booster 12, and their coordinated operation was carried out under the watchful eyes of all parties. However, such an important launch was almost delayed due to FAA regulation. This process makes people wonder how regulation affects the development of the emerging aerospace industry.
Technology development and preparation process
In the months leading up to the space mission, SpaceX underwent multiple rigorous tests and adjustments to its technology. According to internal information from SpaceX, CEO Elon Musk mentioned in an all-staff meeting in April 2024 that the goal of this flight test was to conduct the first tower landing, which depended on the virtual landing performance of the previous flight. Then in June, Musk confirmed that the thermal protection bricks for this flight would be twice as strong as in the past, with a new ablative protection layer added underneath them.
SpaceX has made a number of design improvements to Ship 30, including newly designed vents for the liquefied methane tanks and valves for the liquid oxygen tanks.
Before the launch, various tests such as static ignition test and rotary inflation test achieved the expected results. Finally, on September 21, Ship 30 and Booster 12 completed the stacking and began to wait for FAA regulatory approval.
FAA’s Regulatory Challenges
Although SpaceX is fully prepared, its launch plan is severely affected by FAA supervision. In June 2024, the FAA said it would not require an accident investigation before Launch 5, which seemed to signal progress to SpaceX. However, as time went on, SpaceX was unable to obtain a launch license, leading to constant criticism of the government's regulatory procedures.
SpaceX has complained that government paperwork is preventing it from launching Starship quickly, especially on schedule with its commitment to the Artemis program.
The launch was the subject of multiple reviews and consultations because of modifications SpaceX made, including during an attempt to capture the Super Heavy rocket's reentry, which prompted a more in-depth FAA review.
Review of the mission
Despite regulatory challenges, the successful launch brought a sigh of relief to everyone. During the mission, Super Heavy Booster 12 successfully completed the launch and performed a series of return operations, and was finally successfully caught by the massive "vegetable chopper" arm on the launch pad. The Starship Ship 30 successfully carried out a controlled underwater landing in the Indian Ocean.
The video shows that although the control wing was slightly damaged during the reentry process, Ship 30 still landed accurately in the designated waters.
External reaction
The successful flight test has drawn widespread praise from industry insiders. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson congratulated SpaceX on its performance and fully affirmed its technological achievements. Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield said the day was a huge step forward in human capabilities. Other aerospace companies such as Blue Origin, Stoke Space and Rocket Factory Augsburg also congratulated SpaceX and believed that at the current speed, it will be difficult for the European aerospace industry to catch up with SpaceX.
The current situation of the EU has been hailed as "a great insult to Europe as they are gradually being left behind in the tide of history."
Observers inside and outside the industry are still pondering the question of "Before embarking on a new space age, can we find the right balance so that technological innovation and regulation can go hand in hand?"
