SpaceX Prepares for Potential Starship Test Flight Next Week

The FAA investigation into January's Starship explosion is nearing resolution, with launch windows opening February 26.

SpaceX's next Starship test flight could occur as early as February 26, with backup launch windows extending through March 6.
The FAA's ongoing investigation into the January 16 Starship explosion, which caused debris to fall outside designated areas, must be completed before the next launch is approved.
The upcoming flight is expected to test improvements to Starship, including redesigned fins and larger propellant tanks, and may replicate objectives from the previous mission.
January's test flight ended in failure when a fuel leak caused a fire, leading to the upper stage's destruction and debris impacting public property in Turks and Caicos.
Starship is a key component of NASA's Artemis program and SpaceX's long-term goals for Mars exploration, with the company aiming for hundreds of launches in the coming years.