Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Elon Musk
Podcast. This is a show where we discuss
the critical crossroads that shape SpaceX, Tesla X, The
Boring Company and Neurolink. I'm your host, Will Walden.
What does the FAA's latest approval mean for Spacex's next
steps with a Starship? And how are new exceptions in
mishap reporting changing the game for experimental launches
from Boca Chica Starbase, Texas? Also, will the upgraded Starship
design deliver improved performance?
These are the key questions we'll be exploring as we look
into Space XS preparation for the next Starship flight, Flight
7, following the Fe as recent license modification.
Now, on December 17th, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration
granted Space XA modified license, paving the way for the
next Starship test flight, Flight 7, expected as early as
January of 2025. Now, this approval allows SpaceX
to execute multiple launches using the Flight 7 mission
profile without requiring a separate modification for each
attempt. This is huge.
The decision was made after a thorough assessment to ensure
compliance with all safety, environmental, and licensing
criteria of the FAA. Associate Administrator for
Commercial Space Transportation Kevin B Coleman said This
license modification that we are issuing is well ahead of the
Starship Flight 7 launch date and is another example of the FA
as commitment to enable safe space transport.
The upcoming mission will see Spacex's Starship and Super
Heavy booster lift off from Boca Chica, Texas before separating,
and the Super Heavy booster will return to the launch site for a
catch attempt by the launch tower.
While Starship will follow a sub orbital trajectory, culminating
in a water landing in the Indian Ocean West of Australia.
Now this flight mirrors past missions but introduces upgraded
vehicle configurations which could enhance its performance.
Still a test vehicle, of course, but one of the most notable
elements of the FAA's announcements is the inclusion
of a new failure mode. Exceptions.
How? Historically, the FAA has
permitted certain test induced failures without requiring
formal mishap investigations as long as they do not result in
injuries, property damage, or debris falling outside
designated areas. Previous exceptions included
failures like thermal shield damage during high heating or
flat malfunctions during high dynamic pressure and for Flight
7 and beyond. Two additional exceptions were
introduced, Raptor engine failure during an in space burn
and issues with Super Heavy systems during post booster
catch. Vehicle saving of these new
allowances reflect the experimental nature of Spacex's
Starship program and grant the company some leeways more
flexibility to refine its systems without immediate
regulatory delays. Spacex's readiness for Flight 7
hinges on vehicle in pad preparations, though.
Ship 33, the first Block 2 Starship, recently completed
engine tests at the Massey's test facility about a mile and a
half away from the big facility down there at Boca Chica.
Now. These included a spin Prime test
to validate its upgraded engine plumbing and two static fires, 1
involving all six engines and another simulating a deorbit
burn with engine gimbling. Now these tests marked the first
deorbit burn test since Ship 29, signifying the advancements made
with Block 2 ships and following these milestones, ship 33 was
transported back to Mega Bay 2 for final preparations.
Now the Block 2 configurations. Let's get into this a little
bit. It introduces several
significant changes to the Starship design.
These tanks have been extended, increasing propellant capacity
from 1200 to 1500 tons, while modifications to the forward
flaps aim to improve re entry performance and thermal
protection. Now, this enhanced design marks
a step forward in Spacex's iterative development process,
even as the company continues to address challenges identified
during earlier flights. Meanwhile, a Super Heavy booster
designated for Flight 7 Booster 14, is undergoing its final
adjustments in the Mega Bay. This includes the installment of
a heat stage ring, a component designed to facilitate engine
ignition While the Starship and booster are still connected in,
Spacex's decision to incorporate the feature aligns with this
ongoing commitment to optimizing the performance of the Starship
Now. The launchpad in Boca Chica,
also known as Starbase, has seen significant upgrades in recent
weeks. While much of the refurbishment
has been completed, tasks such as repainting the pads legs and
routing cryogenic pipes to the new tanks remain unfinished.
It is unlikely that these new tanks will be operational in
time for Flight 7, though, given the complexity of integrating
them into the orbital tank farm. Nonetheless, SpaceX is expected
to conduct a tanking test or even a full wet dress rehearsal
before the launch, given the new configurations being introduced
with Ship 33. Now let's go back to the FAA.
Their decision to streamline licensing process is a great
thing, and it's reflecting of their broader efforts to
accommodate the new commercial space industry.
In October, SpaceX faced delays in obtaining a license
modification for Flight 5 due to the FAA's need to conduct
additional Sonic boom in environmental assessments.
The approval arrived just one day before the schedule
launched, prompting concerns about regulatory inefficiencies.
Elon Musk took to X and berated the FAA for this, and the FAA
has since worked to accelerate its review processes with a
Flight 7 license modification issued well ahead of the
anticipated launch window. Now, despite these regulatory
improvements, though, challenges still remain.
SpaceX must address potential safety concerns while
maintaining the experimental nature of the Starship.
Under Part 450 of Title 14 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations, mishaps are defined and monitored rigorously, even
as the FAA grants certain exceptions for test induced
failures. These exceptions are not
unconditional, though. Any incident resulting in safety
risks or injuries will still trigger a mandatory
investigation. Now, looking ahead, SpaceX aims
to meet a tentative launch date of January 11th or January 15th.
We're not quite sure yet, and this timing aligns with a NASA
request for imaging support from Perth, Australia, suggesting
that the flight could occur during daylight hours to
facilitate visual documentation of the actual landing of the
Starship. If successful, Flight 7 will
represent another incremental step in Space XS effort to
develop a completely fully reusable rocket system capable
of supporting missions to Mars. Now, SpaceX will continue the
preparations, though the focus remains on assuring vehicle
reliability and operational safety before the flight.
The Ship 33's upcoming launch will test not only its enhanced
design, but also if it can see of the FAA's regulatory
adjustments. With ongoing improvements to
licensing processes and vehicle configurations, the Flight 7
mission could provide valuable insights for the future of
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