SpaceX has announced that it is aiming to conduct the first fully integrated flight test of Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Starbase in Texas as early as Monday, April 17. The 150-minute test window will open at 7:00 a.m. CT (5am PDT, 8am EDT).
The Starship is a reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The goal of this test is to learn as much as possible, which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX advances the development of Starship.
Targeting as soon as Monday, April 17 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Starbase in Texas → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK pic.twitter.com/Ry25Uuvknh
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 14, 2023
SpaceX has already completed multiple sub-orbital flight tests of Starship’s upper stage from Starbase, validating the vehicle’s design and demonstrating an unprecedented approach to controlled flight.
The team has also conducted numerous tests of the Super Heavy rocket, including static fires that led to a full-duration 31 Raptor engine test, the largest number of simultaneous rocket engine ignitions in history. Moreover, SpaceX has constructed the world’s tallest rocket launch and catch tower, at 146 meters, designed to support vehicle integration, launch, and catch of the Super Heavy rocket booster.
For the first flight test, SpaceX will not attempt a vertical landing of Starship or a catch of the Super Heavy booster. A live webcast of the flight test will begin approximately 45 minutes before liftoff. As with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so updates will be posted on social media channels, said SpaceX.
“As we venture into new territory, we continue to appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have received from those who share our vision of a future where humanity is out exploring among the stars!” concluded SpaceX.
SpaceX is able to set this date of April 17 because it has received launch license from the FAA, which is below:
“After completing an evaluation of all applicable Vehicle Operator License requirements, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a commercial Vehicle Operator License to SpaceX for launches of the Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program in Cameron County, TX,” says the FAA.
“The affected environment and environmental impacts of Starship/Super Heavy operations at the Boca Chica Launch Site had been analyzed in the 2022 Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. Since the 2022 Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA), SpaceX provided the FAA with additional information regarding Starship’s planned landing, Super Heavy’s planned soft water landing, and the Launch Pad Detonation Suppression System. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA prepared the Written Re-evaluation of the 2022 Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas to describe and evaluate this additional information,” said the FAA on Friday.
“Based on the Written Re-Evaluation, the FAA concluded that the issuance of a vehicle operator license for Starship/Super Heavy operations conforms to the prior environmental documentation, that the data contained in the 2022 PEA remains substantially valid, that there are no significant environmental changes, and all pertinent conditions and requirements of the prior approval have been met or will be met in the current action. Therefore, preparation of a supplemental or new environmental document is not necessary to support the Proposed Action,” it concluded.
You can bookmark the YouTube link below and turn on notifications. 7am CT is 5am PDT, or 8am EDT. This is going to be amazing! Cannot wait!
