The test flight was notable for using a flight-proven Super Heavy booster, which had previously launched and returned during Starship’s seventh flight test. SpaceX had cleared the surrounding airspace for the descent, and debris from the flight prompted the FAA to reroute aircraft near Puerto Rico. Following the eighth test flight's failure, SpaceX implemented hardware changes to improve reliability. The FAA expanded hazard areas based on updated safety analyses provided by SpaceX.
Key takeaways:
- SpaceX's Starship successfully separated from its Super Heavy rocket booster and reached orbit, but later made an uncontrolled re-entry into the Indian Ocean.
- The ninth test flight was the smoothest of the year, following two consecutive explosions, and used a flight-proven Super Heavy booster.
- Starship was unable to open a side cargo hatch to deploy mock satellites and lost attitude control during re-entry.
- The FAA expanded hazard areas for flights after two explosions earlier in the year, and SpaceX made hardware changes to increase reliability.