SpaceX's Starship Cleared for Second Takeoff After Obtaining Modified Launch License from FAA

Musk’s previous predictions haven’t come to fruition, but this time, a fresh launch license backs the SpaceX CEO’s timeline.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 02:07 PM ET

Verified

SpaceX’s Starship upper stage and Super Heavy booster sit stacked on the launch pad ahead of April’s maiden voyage. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX has received full FAA approval for Starship's second orbital test flight, allowing a launch as early as Friday, with backup dates over the weekend.
The approval followed comprehensive safety and environmental reviews, including assessment of a new water deluge system installed at the launch pad to mitigate issues from the first flight.
The upcoming flight is crucial for the development of Starship, which is central to NASA's Artemis lunar landing missions and SpaceX's long-term goals of colonizing Mars.

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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has not enjoyed a great track record when it comes to predicting the second orbital test flight of Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. But Musk’s assertion this week—that the 400-foot-tall Starship upper stage and Super Heavy booster could fly again as soon as Friday—looks like it could come true.

“Was just informed that approval to launch should happen in time for a Friday launch,” Musk wrote in a post on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter.