Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday approved the third Starship test flight for March 14, a date initially picked for the launch by SpaceX.
For the past two launches, SpaceX and FAA have collaborated on various aspects of this mega-launch vehicle.
The first test flight launched on April 20, 2023, and it occurred with Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly after clearing the launch pad. The second flight from November achieved stage separation and second-stage engine ignition.
These two tests follow the FAA’s post-flight mishap investigation. The first term took months before the company granted a license to fly the Starship.
The second FAA approval came early but still took months to investigate. Both of these occasions brought SpaceX to make thousands of changes and improvements in the launch vehicle and launch site area.
The third flight approval only came in three months of mishap investigation.
“The FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental, police, and financial responsibility requirements.” FAA posted on social media site X.
The license mentioned that Space Exploration Technologies, Corp. is authorized, subjected to provisions of 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, chapter 509, and the orders, rules, and regulations issued under it, to conduct launches of the Starship-Super Heavy vehicle.
It was originally issued on April 14, 2023, before the first integrated flight test. The license now has a new revisioned issue date of March 13, 2024, with effect immediately.
Third Flight:
Compared to the past two flight tests, SapceX could add more achievements including a successful orbit. Then the company will perform additional mission milestones for future test flights.
If successful, the test flight could open a way for the company to get fast FAA approval for the next Starship missions.
(source – FAA)