SpaceX Meets Safety Criteria, Receives FAA Approval for Third Starship Launch from Texas

By Moon Harper

Mar 14, 2024 06:12 AM EDT

SpaceX plans its third Starship test flight after regulators approved the launch as soon as Thursday.

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk announced that SpaceX teams are gearing up for the third test flight of its 400-foot-tall reusable spaceship, Starship, and Super Heavy booster, which may happen on Thursday at 8 a.m. ET from Boca Chica, Texas.

On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted SpaceX the launch license required for its newest Starship prototype flight after SpaceX fulfilled all safety, environmental, and financial responsibility criteria for the launch.

SpaceX aims to launch between 8 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. ET from Boca Chica, Texas, on Thursday. It plans to live-stream the event with a webcast 30 minutes before the windows open.

Taking it from The Last Prototype's Flight with 17 Corrective Measures

The company intends to advance from the previous year's Starship prototype flights, the second and latest reaching space in November, with varying outcomes. Both rockets flew briefly and reached certain milestones but eventually were destroyed due to issues.

The FAA concluded its investigation into the November test flight incident in February. It identified 17 corrective measures required before SpaceX obtains a revised launch permit for its next orbital test. SpaceX has implemented hardware adjustments and other enhancements to prepare for the third attempt.

SpaceX Granted The License to Launch

The FAA granted the updated launch permit on Wednesday that the company awaited to proceed with Starship's flight.

SpaceX is pursuing new goals for its third flight, including an ascent burn, payload door operation, and engine relight. Moreover, SpaceX intends to exhibit fresh functionalities such as opening and closing the spacecraft door and transferring fuel mid-flight as part of a NASA demonstration. Unlike the previous tests that aimed for the Pacific Ocean landing near Hawaii, this flight will end with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

The First Flight's Test Hops

SpaceX reported that the second test flight accomplished various milestones and aims to build upon them in the upcoming flight. The first test flight of SpaceX's Starship in April ended dramatically with an explosion 24 miles over the Gulf of Mexico. Before attempting to launch the spaceship and booster together, SpaceX conducted test hops in Texas, some of which resulted in explosions.

The company stated that this new trajectory allows for trying new techniques like in-space engine burns while prioritizing public safety.

Starship's Future Flights

NASA managers are monitoring Starship's testing and development for the Artemis mission to the moon in 2026. However, SpaceX requires more test flights before it sends people.

Eventually, Starship and Super Heavy will launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and Musk plans for the spaceship to land at the same location using launch tower arms.

This month, SpaceX and the Air Force are holding public meetings in Brevard County, home to KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, to discuss a potential Starship launch site for Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 37. Private citizens, like businessman Jared Isaacman's Polaris Program, have signed up for Starship flights. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is planning to bring eight more individuals with him on a flight around the moon.