SpaceX Plans Another Test Flight of Starship Rocket

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — After receiving final approval from federal regulators, SpaceX is preparing for another test flight of its mega rocket. The first launch of Starship ended disastrously in an explosion just minutes after takeoff from South Texas in April.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its license on Wednesday, acknowledging that SpaceX has implemented necessary safety, environmental, and other requirements for another launch. Elon Musk’s rocket company has set its target for Friday morning.

Following the failure of the initial launch, SpaceX has made significant improvements to the nearly 400-foot rocket and the launch pad itself, which suffered a substantial crater beneath it due to the blast.

SpaceX holds a lucrative $3 billion NASA contract to transport astronauts to the lunar surface as early as 2025 using this spacecraft.

The FAA had already concluded its safety review of the upcoming Starship launch a month ago. However, the environmental review needed additional time to be completed. Fortunately, no one was harmed during the previous unsuccessful attempt, although the launch pad incurred significant damage when the rocket's 33 main engines ignited upon liftoff.

Subsequently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed that concrete pieces, steel sheets, and other objects were propelled thousands of feet from the pad. Additionally, a cloud of pulverized concrete scattered debris several miles away.

Environmental groups and wildlife advocates filed a lawsuit against the FAA, alleging that the agency failed to fully assess the adverse environmental effects of the Starship program near Boca Chica Beach.

The upcoming test flight is expected to last approximately one and a half hours but will not achieve a full orbit around Earth. The spacecraft will travel eastward, passing over the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans before crashing into the vicinity of Hawaii. No valuable cargo will be onboard during this experimental flight.