FAA Concludes Starship IFT-3 Mishap Investigation, Paving the Way for Fourth Test Flight
October 22, 2025
FAA closes its investigation into Starship's third flight, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for SpaceX's next launch.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially concluded its mishap investigation into SpaceX's third integrated test flight of the Starship launch system, which occurred on March 14, 2024. This administrative closure signifies that the FAA concurs with SpaceX's root cause analysis and corrective actions, marking a critical regulatory milestone and clearing the path for the program's highly anticipated fourth test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.
Investigation Findings and Corrective Actions
The third test flight (IFT-3) achieved several significant milestones, including a full-duration ascent burn, successful stage separation, and the first-ever reentry from space for the Starship upper stage. However, the mission concluded with the loss of both the Super Heavy booster during its landing burn over the Gulf of Mexico and the Starship vehicle during atmospheric reentry. The FAA-supervised investigation identified the proximate causes for both vehicle losses, leading to a series of corrective actions mandated for future flights.
- Hardware Modifications: Implemented changes to vehicle hardware to prevent roll control issues and filter blockages that contributed to the loss of the Super Heavy booster.
- Operational Enhancements: Updated operational procedures and analysis for improved thermal protection and vehicle control during the high-stress atmospheric reentry phase.
- Software Refinements: Deployed software updates to enhance the reliability and performance of engine relight sequences and attitude control systems.
The Path to Flight 4
While the closure of the mishap investigation is the most significant hurdle cleared, SpaceX must still obtain a formal modification to its launch license from the FAA. This final step involves the FAA verifying that all corrective actions have been implemented and that the updated flight plan meets all public safety and regulatory requirements. With this process underway, anticipation for the fourth test flight continues to build within the global space community.
A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. The FAA will evaluate SpaceX’s implementation of all corrective actions and will not authorize a license modification until it is satisfied that they have been fully implemented.
Significance for Future Missions
Each Starship test flight is a crucial step in SpaceX's iterative development process, aimed at creating the world's first fully and rapidly reusable super heavy-lift launch system. The success of this program is fundamental to NASA's Artemis program, which relies on a modified Starship as the Human Landing System (HLS) to return astronauts to the lunar surface. Beyond the Moon, Starship is designed to enable large-scale payload delivery to Earth orbit and, ultimately, support human colonization of Mars.
The primary objectives for the fourth flight will likely focus on demonstrating a controlled landing burn and soft splashdown of the Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico and achieving a successful, survivable reentry of the Starship upper stage. Success in these areas would represent a monumental leap forward in proving the vehicle's reusability architecture.
The conclusion of the FAA's investigation marks a pivotal moment for the Starship program. As SpaceX finalizes its preparations and awaits the modified launch license, all eyes are now on Starbase for the next flight of the most powerful rocket ever built, which promises to further redefine the boundaries of space exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
IFT-3, launched on March 14, 2024, successfully reached space and demonstrated key capabilities like payload bay door operation. However, the mission ended with the loss of the Super Heavy booster during its landing attempt and the Starship upper stage during atmospheric reentry.
It signifies that the FAA has reviewed and accepted SpaceX's findings on the cause of the mishap and approves of the corrective actions SpaceX plans to implement. It is a mandatory step before the FAA will consider issuing a modified launch license for the next flight.
An official launch date has not been set. With the investigation closed, the timeline now depends on SpaceX implementing the required corrective actions and the FAA issuing a modified launch license. The launch could follow shortly after these final regulatory steps are completed.
These flights are essential for developing the world's first fully reusable super heavy-lift launch system. This technology is critical for reducing launch costs and enabling ambitious future missions, including NASA's Artemis moon landings and SpaceX's long-term goal of sending humans to Mars.