SpaceX is preparing for the second test flight of its Starship rocket and booster system after receiving regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday. The launch is currently targeted for Friday morning from the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas.
Starship consists of a Super Heavy booster and an upper stage spacecraft. When stacked together, it stands nearly 400 feet tall, making it the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. SpaceX hopes Starship will one day transport cargo and people to the Moon and Mars.
The first test flight occurred in April but ended shortly after liftoff when the rocket began spinning out of control, forcing SpaceX to destroy it remotely over the Gulf of Mexico. The explosive crash damaged the launch pad, so SpaceX has since upgraded the site, including installing a water deluge system to dampen the heat from the engines.
After an investigation, the FAA required SpaceX to address 63 corrective actions before launching again. The agency completed its latest safety review on October 31st but still needed to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assess any environmental impacts. With that process now complete, SpaceX received the license for Friday’s launch attempt.
If successful, the rocket will fly to an altitude just short of orbit before splashing down near Hawaii. While a full orbit is the eventual goal, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has cautioned that even separating the booster and spacecraft would mark a major accomplishment. Further test flights will be needed to refine the vehicle’s capabilities.
Some environmental groups have expressed concerns about the launch’s effects on local wildlife and have not ruled out seeking an injunction to halt the flight. But with liftoff potentially less than two days away, it’s unclear if there is enough time left to intervene.
