The Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday approved a launch permit for SpaceX’s Starship 5, which is scheduled to launch on Sunday, after saying it didn’t expect a decision until the end of November.
Reuters first reported this week the faster-than-expected timeline, after the FAA recommended a longer review in September.
SpaceX plans to launch on Sunday and said the 30-minute launch window will open at 7:00 a.m. Central Time.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Saturday that SpaceX has met “all safety, environmental and other clearance requirements for the suborbital test flight” of Starship’s fifth test and has also approved the mission profile for Starship 6.
The Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket are a fully reusable system designed to transport crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the moon and beyond.
Starship/Super Heavy’s fifth test flight from Boca Chica, Texas, included a return to the Super Heavy booster rocket launch site and attempted capture via the launch tower, as well as a water landing of the Starship vehicle in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia.
The FAA said that if SpaceX chooses to enter without control, “it must communicate that decision to the FAA prior to launch, and the loss of the Starship vehicle will be considered a planned event and no accident investigation will be required.” .
The FAA on Friday approved the return of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 aircraft to flight after reviewing and accepting the findings of a SpaceX-led investigation and corrective actions taken in response to the September 28 accident.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has harshly criticized the FAA, including proposing a $633,000 fine against SpaceX over launch issues and delays in approving a license for Starship 5, which the company said has been delayed since August. Ready to launch. Musk has called for the resignation of FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker and threatened to sue the agency.
