Aditya DidwaniyaThe US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed an unexpected anomaly struck the Super Heavy booster during SpaceX Starship’s 12th test mission debris fell into a hazard zone, though no injuries or property damage were reported.
SpaceX Starship’s 12th Mission Runs Into Trouble During Booster Maneuver
SpaceX’s Starship hit a serious snag during its 12th test flight the US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed an anomaly struck the Super Heavy rocket booster mid-mission. The incident unfolded as the booster performed a turn maneuver over the Gulf of America. Debris from the booster came down inside a designated hazard zone. Authorities confirmed no injuries or property damage resulted from the incident.
A Historic Flight But Not Without Problems
This mission marked a milestone for SpaceX it was the first flight of the heavily redesigned Version 3 configuration of Starship. The rocket lifted off from a brand-new launch pad at Starbase in Texas. That alone made this launch particularly significant. The spacecraft did successfully return to Earth after its flight, completing the journey despite the booster setback.
Delays and Last-Minute Scrubs Preceded the Launch
The path to this launch was rocky from the start. The mission faced multiple delays in the lead-up. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk himself announced a last-minute scrub just days before citing technical issues that forced the team to stand down. The FAA noted it became aware of the anomaly during the 12th Starship flight mission, which launched from Texas on May 22.
What the FAA Said Word for Word
The aviation regulator made its position clear in an official statement:
“FAA is aware of an anomaly that occurred during SpaceX Starship Flight 12, launched from Texas on May 22. The anomaly affected the Super Heavy booster during its turn maneuver over the Gulf of America.”
The FAA added that it will conduct a further review and evaluation of the situation in the days ahead.
Akshay Didwaniya
Mayur Mohta
Pratik Agrawal