A crucial SpaceX Starship Super Heavy rocket launch test could be coming week, according to a planning notice posted Tuesday by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA notice said the launch’s primary anticipated date is April 10, but listed backup dates as April 11 and 12. Billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket and satellite company must still get a launch license for what’s anticipated to be its first orbital flight test from Boca Chica, Texas.
“The FAA has not made a license determination for the SpaceX Starship Super Heavy operation, and the FAA’s Command Center planning notice shouldn’t be interpreted as an index that a determination to issue a license has been made or is forthcoming,” the FAA said in a statement.
SpaceX didn’t respond to a request for comment.
SpaceX’s launch license for the Starship test could be granted by the FAA on Monday, according to a person familiar with the process who asked not to be named. They advised that the licensing process, while nearing completion, could take longer due to an environmental compliance review.
The test charge will mark the first launch of SpaceX’s completely-piled, 394-bottom (120- metre) tall Starship rocket system, conforming of a Starship rocket sitting atop a “Super
Heavy” first stage supporter with 33 rocket machines.
The rocket system is anticipated to launch from the company’s Starbase installations in Texas and emplace the Starship alternate stage into space, where it’ll complete a full route before demitting Earth’s atmosphere and splashing down dozens of long hauls off a seacoast in Hawaii.
The Super Heavy supporter will attempt a landing in Texas near its launch point. SpaceX says Starship will be a completely applicable transportation system to carry crew and weight to Earth route, the Moon, Mars and beyond.
