Is the FAA holding Falcon back from launching?

[seb21051]

We've seen the 4 Starlink launches shift back about 5 days according to the NSF launches page. Latest is Wednesday the 24th, when it was scheduled for Friday the 19th originally.

Is the FAA withholding launch licenses because they have not finished their examination of SX's anomaly report?

What does the illuminati have to say?

[Jim]

We've seen the 4 Starlink launches shift back about 5 days according to the NSF launches page. Latest is Wednesday the 24th, when it was scheduled for Friday the 19th originally.

Is the FAA withholding launch licenses because they have not finished their examination of SX's anomaly report?

What does the illuminati have to say?

Has SpaceX found and fixed the problem?

[seb21051]

Well, if they keep delaying the launches, probably not to the FAA's satisfaction.

I was just curious if there was more up to date factual information.

[alugobi]

Well, if they keep delaying the launches, probably not to the FAA's satisfaction.

Or they're still drilling down on it and testing possibilities, and haven't sent anything to the FAA yet. 

[Jim]

Well, if they keep delaying the launches, probably not to the FAA's satisfaction.

that logic doesn't follow

[cpushack]

Well, if they keep delaying the launches, probably not to the FAA's satisfaction.

that logic doesn't follow

I think he meant they, as in SpaceX, not the FAA?

[seb21051]

Correct. Sorry for causing confusion.

[mn]

We've seen the 4 Starlink launches shift back about 5 days according to the NSF launches page. Latest is Wednesday the 24th, when it was scheduled for Friday the 19th originally.

Is the FAA withholding launch licenses because they have not finished their examination of SX's anomaly report?

What does the illuminati have to say?

Has SpaceX found and fixed the problem?

SpaceX believes that they should not be required to fix the problem to continue launching, since whatever the problem is, it is not a public safety threat. And they have petitioned the FAA to allow this.

And the FAA is most certainly blocking that as of now at least, so yes the FAA is most certainly preventing falcon from launching.

Who is right is a totally different question.

[thespacecow]

SpaceX has requested a public safety determination from FAA, see this article for details.

Under this request, if FAA determines the mishap doesn't endanger public safety, they can authorize a return to flight without approving the mishap investigation report. So at this point SpaceX is likely just waiting for FAA to make this determination.

In any case, if SpaceX starts launching immediately after receiving authorization from FAA, then we'd know they have probably been held back by FAA. Who knows, maybe FAA's computers were crowdstriked...

[ZachS09]

SpaceX has requested a public safety determination from FAA, see this article for details.

Under this request, if FAA determines the mishap doesn't endanger public safety, they can authorize a return to flight without approving the mishap investigation report. So at this point SpaceX is likely just waiting for FAA to make this determination.

In any case, if SpaceX starts launching immediately after receiving authorization from FAA, then we'd know they have probably been held back by FAA. Who knows, maybe FAA's computers were crowdstriked...

What’s the penalty for launching without FAA’s authorization? Just wondering.

[meekGee]

SpaceX has requested a public safety determination from FAA, see this article for details.

Under this request, if FAA determines the mishap doesn't endanger public safety, they can authorize a return to flight without approving the mishap investigation report. So at this point SpaceX is likely just waiting for FAA to make this determination.

In any case, if SpaceX starts launching immediately after receiving authorization from FAA, then we'd know they have probably been held back by FAA. Who knows, maybe FAA's computers were crowdstriked...

Deja Vu all over again. Again.

[deltaV]

What’s the penalty for launching without FAA’s authorization? Just wondering.

If the launch kills someone, potentially decades in prison for some sort of murder. If it doesn't kill someone, I have no idea what the penalties are.

[mn]

What’s the penalty for launching without FAA’s authorization? Just wondering.

If the launch kills someone, potentially decades in prison for some sort of murder. If it doesn't kill someone, I have no idea what the penalties are.

I'm quite certain that even if a launch killed someone, it would never get as far as a 'murder' charge. But yes it would be a very bad thing to do and I don't think SpaceX would try (at least not intentionally, they can always try a static fire and launch by accident...)

[ChrML]

What’s the penalty for launching without FAA’s authorization? Just wondering.

SpaceX has gotten into trouble before for not respecting FAA warnings/data, and technically launched without authorisation: https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas . Atleast that could be fixed by being really sorry, adjust procedures and make FAA confortable again. No fines were issued, one time curtesy.

A full launch without approval at all, well, probably a large fine if nobody is hurt. But much worse than that, extremely bad PR and everyone would question their jugdement and safety culture. If on purpose, maybe loose big customers. And FAA would ground everything until trust is regained.

[seb21051]

From NSF, the launches have shifted to Friday, and on Wikipedia F9 page, NETs are changed to "Doubtfull".

Looking for any official confirmation.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/?search=Spacex

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_and_Falcon_Heavy_launches

[intelati]

From NSF, the launches have shifted to Friday, and on Wikipedia F9 page, NETs are changed to "Doubtfull".

Looking for any official confirmation.

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/?search=Spacex

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_and_Falcon_Heavy_launches

Until hearing updates from SpaceX or FAA, the best resources are the NOTAMs filed and updated.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=61183.msg2610056#msg2610056

[ZachF]

considering it took only a couple-ish weeks to return to service, I'd say no

[steveleach]

considering it took only a couple-ish weeks to return to service, I'd say no

considering SpaceX were speculatively sending their recovery ships out for a week or so before return-to-flight was authorised, I'd say "not significantly" is more accurate

[zubenelgenubi]

Moderator:
Ok, SpaceX launches three times in two days, from all three Falcon 9 launch sites!

Time to lock the thread.