SpaceX's Starship Launch Awaits FAA Approval
SpaceX, Elon Musk's private space company, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been embroiled in disagreements over the launch date of the Starship mega-rocket from SpaceX Starbase in Texas. After a month of delays, SpaceX announced that Starship's fifth launch could potentially take off as early as Sunday, despite the original launch date being set for mid-September.
FAA Fines and Delays
The FAA has previously fined SpaceX $633,000 for safety violations in Florida and an additional $633,000 for environmental violations at Starbase. These fines have slowed down rocket launches, prompting SpaceX to accelerate their timelines. Company executives have expressed concern that FAA regulatory obstacles are merely a form of 'lawfare' by Biden-Harris administration officials.
The San Antonio Express-News reported that speculation of a mid-October launch began last week when a Coast Guard Notice to Mariners about the launch appeared online. However, the FAA dismissed this, stating that they would not be issuing launch authorization for a launch to occur in the next two weeks.
Details of the Upcoming Starship Test Flight
SpaceX has provided more information about the upcoming Starship test flight. The fifth flight test could launch as soon as October 13, pending regulatory approval. A live webcast of the flight test will begin approximately 30 minutes before liftoff. The launch window could open as early as 7:00 a.m. CT.
The fourth flight was a huge success, with a fully successful ascent followed by the first ever booster soft-landing in the Gulf of Mexico and Starship making it through a brilliant reentry, before its own landing burn and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
The fifth flight test of Starship will aim to take another step towards full and rapid reusability. The primary objectives will be attempting the first ever return to launch site and catch of the Super Heavy booster and another Starship reentry and landing burn, aiming for an on-target splashdown of Starship in the Indian Ocean.
Preparations for the Flight Test
Extensive upgrades have been made to hardware and software across Super Heavy, Starship, and the launch and catch tower infrastructure at Starbase. SpaceX engineers have spent years preparing and months testing for the booster catch attempt. Thousands of distinct vehicle and pad criteria must be met prior to a return and catch attempt of the Super Heavy booster.
The returning booster will slow down from supersonic speeds, resulting in audible sonic booms in the area around the landing zone. Starship will fly a similar trajectory as the previous flight test with splashdown targeted in the Indian Ocean.
One of the key upgrades on Starship ahead of flight was a complete rework of its heatshield, with SpaceX technicians spending more than 12,000 hours replacing the entire thermal protection system with newer-generation tiles, a backup ablative layer, and additional protections between the flap structures.
Musk's Comments on Lawfare
Last month, Musk expressed his concerns about the federal government's use of lawfare to slow down Starship's progress at the All-In Summit. He also called out the fed's "lawfare" on Tucker Carlson, stating that such tactics cost lives.
Bottom Line
The ongoing dispute between SpaceX and the FAA over the launch of the Starship mega-rocket highlights the challenges faced by private space companies in navigating regulatory hurdles. As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the question remains: will these regulatory challenges slow down progress or spur the company on to greater heights? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is everyday at 6pm.
