Elon Musk’s SpaceX has secured a modified launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the eighth test flight of its massive Starship rocket, scheduled for no earlier than Monday, March 3, 2025. The approval, announced on Friday, February 28, comes despite an unresolved investigation into the rocket’s dramatic mid-flight breakup during its seventh test on January 16, 2025. That incident scattered debris over Turks and Caicos and disrupted commercial air traffic—a mishap that’s raised eyebrows and fueled debate over SpaceX’s cozy ties to the Trump administration.
Flight 7 Fallout: Debris and Delays
Starship’s seventh outing was a partial success—SpaceX nailed a booster catch with its “chopstick” arms—but ended in chaos when the upper stage exploded over the Atlantic. Orange streaks lit up the sky above Turks and Caicos as debris rained down, forcing flight diversions and prompting the FAA to mandate a mishap investigation. SpaceX hasn’t wrapped up that probe, yet the FAA granted the go-ahead, a move it’s made before for SpaceX and Rocket Lab during ongoing inquiries. Posts on X speculate this reflects expedited approvals under Musk’s influence, though no hard evidence confirms that yet.
A $350 Billion Giant Under Scrutiny
Valued at $350 billion in private markets, SpaceX is a cornerstone of Musk’s empire, alongside Tesla and X. The 403-foot Starship—stacked with its Super Heavy booster—is the tallest, most powerful rocket ever built, central to SpaceX’s lunar and Martian ambitions. Seven flights since April 2023 have showcased its potential, but also its volatility. Last year, the FAA slapped SpaceX with $633,009 in fines for alleged safety lapses before 2023 launches, while the EPA tagged it for water pollution in Texas. Musk fired back with a lawsuit threat against the FAA for “regulatory overreach,” though he never followed through.
Musk’s Trump Connection Raises Eyebrows
Musk’s star has risen further under President Donald Trump, who he donated nearly $300 million during the 2024 campaign. Now leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk is slashing federal budgets and staffing, with regulatory agencies like the FAA in his crosshairs. SpaceX’s role in revamping the FAA’s air traffic control system, announced by Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, has sparked conflict-of-interest concerns. Senators Adam Schiff and Tammy Duckworth fired off a letter to FAA acting administrator Chris Rocheleau on February 28, questioning whether Musk’s access to FAA systems compromises oversight. Neither SpaceX nor the FAA responded to CNBC’s inquiries.
What’s Next for Starship Flight 8?
SpaceX is wasting no time, targeting March 3 for Flight 8 from its Starbase in South Texas. The mission aims to tackle unfinished objectives from Flight 7, like payload deployment and reentry tests, per posts on X. At 30 feet wide and powered by cutting-edge Raptor engines, Starship remains a marvel—and a gamble. With Musk’s DOGE reshaping government and Trump’s pro-business tilt easing regulatory hurdles, SpaceX could accelerate its 2025 goal of 24 flights. However, the FAA’s leniency amid an open probe has critics crying foul. Will Starship soar or stumble again? Tune in Monday for the answer.
