SpaceX: Elon Musk slams FAA over Starship cancellation ‘Humanity will never get to Mars’

SpaceX conduct static fire engine test on Starship SN9

Mr Musk and his SpaceX have been attempting to launch a prototype of the Starship rocket, called SN9, for several weeks. However, the company has delayed the event on numerous occasions due to bad weather, repair work, and because of a hold up in regulatory approval from the FAA. The most recent cancellation, which was scheduled for January 28, was scrapped due to a hold up in the FAA’s side.

While the governmental body, which permits air travel, did not give a reason for the delay, its website said it had been given approval for a January 29 launch.

Details are vague as to why the launch was cancelled, but Mr Musk has aired his frustration at the FAA, describing it as a “broken” system.

The South African-born billionaire, who recently became the richest person in the world, also said the FAA will prevent humans from conquering the solar system.

Mr Musk wrote on Twitter: “Unlike its aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure.

“Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities.

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“Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars.”

The SN9 launch will follow in the footsteps of the previous prototype, SN8.

The test of the SN8 saw the rocket launched 12.5 kilometres into the sky.

Once the rocket was in the air, it began flying effortlessly above the clouds.

The rocket then completed a full circle before landing back on the ground.

However, the rocket exploded on impact with the ground – although SpaceX anticipated faults in this launch.

The SN9 will hopefully launch 10 kilometres into the air, before performing a “controlled descent” for the first time.

SpaceX said the launch could go ahead today.

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The company said: “As early as Friday, January 29, the SpaceX team will attempt a high-altitude flight test of Starship serial number 9 (SN9) – the second high-altitude suborbital flight test of a Starship prototype from our site in Cameron County, Texas.

“Similar to the high-altitude flight test of Starship serial number 8 (SN8), SN9 will be powered through ascent by three Raptor engines, each shutting down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching apogee – approximately 10 km in altitude.

“SN9 will perform a propellant transition to the internal header tanks, which hold landing propellant, before reorienting itself for reentry and a controlled aerodynamic descent.

“A controlled aerodynamic descent with body flaps and vertical landing capability, combined with in-space refilling, are critical to landing Starship at destinations across the solar system where prepared surfaces or runways do not exist, and returning to Earth.

“This capability will enable a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo on long-duration, interplanetary flights and help humanity return to the Moon, and travel to Mars and beyond.”

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