British officials told the U.S. they are concerned about the safety of SpaceX’s plans to fly its next Starship rocket over British territories in the Caribbean, where debris fell earlier this year after two of the company’s rockets exploded, according to documents reviewed by ProPublica.The worries from the U.K. government, detailed in a letter to a top American diplomat on Wednesday, follow the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision last week to grant SpaceX’s request for a fivefold increase in the number of Starship launches allowed this year, from five to 25. Growing the number of launches of the most powerful rocket ever built is a priority for SpaceX head Elon Musk, who is also one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisers.Of particular concern to British officials is the public’s safety in the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands — all of which could face debris risk from Starship 9.[...]The British letter to a U.S. State Department official, Ambassador Lisa Kenna, asks the U.S. to consider changing the launch site or trajectory of Starship 9. If that isn’t possible, the request — from Stephen Doughty, the United Kingdom’s minister of state for Europe, North America and U.K. Overseas Territories — asks that agencies like the FAA consider altering the launch’s timing to minimize safety risks and the economic impact for the British territories.The letter also requests that the U.S. government provide the United Kingdom more information on increased safety measures that will be put in place before Starship 9 launches, and that British territories be given enough warning to communicate with the public about those measures.“We have been working closely with US Government partners regarding Starship Flight 9 to protect the safety of the UK Overseas Territories and to ensure appropriate measures are in place,” a UK government spokesperson said Thursday in response to ProPublica’s questions about the letter.
As a Brit, I disagree. Letting SpaceX get on with it could result in deaths. The officials are right to bring this up.
It feels like everyone is doing exactly what they should be doing here. SpaceX are pushing to fly again as quickly as possible, the FAA are requiring them to demonstrate that they can do so safely, and the various British authorities are pushing to ensure that the concerns of their citizens are being addressed by that process.I'd be worried if these communications weren't happening, and I'll be concerned if they end up derailing SpaceX's plans.
Quote from: steveleach on 05/16/2025 12:01 pmIt feels like everyone is doing exactly what they should be doing here. SpaceX are pushing to fly again as quickly as possible, the FAA are requiring them to demonstrate that they can do so safely, and the various British authorities are pushing to ensure that the concerns of their citizens are being addressed by that process.I'd be worried if these communications weren't happening, and I'll be concerned if they end up derailing SpaceX's plans.Exactly how I feel.Also, extra mission assurance due diligence would be in the interests of both SpaceX (as Starship needs to fly *successfully* now) and everyone else for safety.
NOTAM #: B0725/25Issue Date UTC: 05/14/2025 2005Start Date UTC: 05/21/2025 2330End Date UTC: 05/31/2025 0134DANGEROUS AREA FOR FALLING DEBRIS OF ROCKET STARSHIP FLT-9 LATERAL LIMIT AREA FORMED BY THE UNION OF THE FLW POINTS: <snip>
NOTAM #: A0144/25Issue Date UTC: 05/15/2025 1411Start Date UTC: 05/22/2025 0012End Date UTC: 05/31/2025 0305ESTSTATIONARY ALTITUDE RESERVATION FOR HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS FROM SFC TO UNL FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN OF SPACE X STARSHIP FLT-9 ROCKET WI AN AREA BOUNDED BY FLW COORD: <snip>
NOTAM #: A0938/25Issue Date UTC: 05/16/2025 1054Start Date UTC: 05/22/2025 0012End Date UTC: 05/31/2025 0305DANGEROUS AREA FOR FALLING DEBRIS OF STARSHIP 'FLT-9' ROCKET WILL TAKE PLACE WI AREA DELIMITED BY: <snip>
NOTAM #: A0050/25Issue Date UTC: 05/15/2025 2121Start Date UTC: 05/22/2025 2300End Date UTC: 05/31/2025 0135TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRSPACE CLOSURE FROM GND TO FL060 DUE TO SPACEX STARSHIP FLT-9 ROCKET LAUNCH. IN THE EVENT OF A DEBRIS-GENERATING SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLE MISHAP THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR DEBRIS FALLING WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS DANGER ZONE BY THE FOLLOWING COORDINATES: <snip>
ONE STEP CLOSER TO STARSHIP’S NINTH FLIGHT!The FAA has released a review of flight license 23-129 Rev 5.3, which would allow SpaceX to conduct up to 25 flights annually and authorize Starship to fly again, provided the investigation (MISHAP) into the events of the eighth flight is concluded or SpaceX is permitted to fly while the investigation remains under review
Is this Legit?QuoteONE STEP CLOSER TO STARSHIP’S NINTH FLIGHT!The FAA has released a review of flight license 23-129 Rev 5.3, which would allow SpaceX to conduct up to 25 flights annually and authorize Starship to fly again, provided the investigation (MISHAP) into the events of the eighth flight is concluded or SpaceX is permitted to fly while the investigation remains under review https://x.com/FronteraSpacial/status/1923350370983502300
STARSHIP SUPERHEAVY FLIGHT 9 LAUNCH PROPOSED ROUTE BY DOMINICAN REPUBLICRoute to be in operation for traffic entering Santo Domingo FIR (MDCS) from San Juan FIR (TJZS) North westbound to (KZMA)FIR and Traffic from Miami FIR (KZMA) to Santo Domingo FIR (MDCS) Southeast bound to (TJZS) FIR. Traffic from San Juan FIR (TJZS). KATOK UM348 PTA UL343 MALVNTraffic from Miami FIR(KZMA) JUELE UL463 PTA W9 LRN W9 MELLAWhen the Starship 9 is launched, all traffic flying in the Santo Domingo FIR(MDCS) will be in holding and in coordination with Miami and San Juan we will apply ground stop and a TMI of 20MIT if needed too.
https://www.faa.gov/media/94826
Really no catch?
Looking at the modification for the SpaceX Launch License for the 9th Flight of Starship. TLDR: SpaceX is most likely, not going for a catch on Flight 9 of Starship, unless the launch license is modified again.The SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Complex "To" location was modified. This specifies the destination of the launch. In this case, the "Super Heavy" vehicle.So what does that mean. As of now, the Launch License does not allow for the launch tower as a destination.Here is the exact area. Its under iii, which allows destinations either at the "Gulf of America" or "The Indian Ocean". So the landing location for the Ship is the Indian Ocean, and the Booster will land in the Gulf. No catch.
I can't imagine why SpaceX would want to catch the booster on this flight, there's no reason to. Good decision.
or maybe just ditching the booster of obsolete design...
170050Z MAY 25HYDROPAC 1276/25(61,74).INDIAN OCEAN.DNC 02, DNC 03, DNC 04.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 0012Z TO 0305Z DAILY 27 MAY THRU 04 JUN IN AREA BOUND BY 26-15.00S 051-27.00E, 25-45.00S 051-39.00E, 25-54.00S 054-31.00E, 25-59.00S 056-17.00E, 26-08.00S 059-49.00E, 25-44.00S 062-38.00E, 25-35.00S 066-32.00E, 25-01.00S 073-14.00E, 23-53.00S 079-35.00E, 22-49.00S 084-17.00E, 21-29.00S 088-53.00E, 20-34.00S 092-55.00E, 19-21.00S 096-06.00E, 17-32.00S 101-28.00E, 16-07.00S 105-43.00E, 14-57.00S 113-44.00E, 15-29.00S 113-54.00E, 17-57.00S 111-04.00E, 19-39.00S 108-17.00E, 21-33.00S 104-28.00E, 23-03.00S 099-47.00E, 24-21.00S 093-46.00E, 25-01.00S 089-29.00E, 25-35.00S 085-01.00E, 26-09.00S 080-07.00E, 27-05.00S 074-40.00E, 27-45.00S 070-13.00E, 28-10.00S 059-51.00E, 27-54.00S 051-57.00E.2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 1235/25.3. CANCEL THIS MSG 040405Z JUN 25.
