SpaceX’s Starship Prepares for Launch After Overcoming Environmental Hurdles
The Super Heavy May Be Launched as Early as April 17th Pending FAA Approval
After undergoing rigorous testing at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX’s Starship has been declared fit for launch. This marks a significant milestone for SpaceX as they overcome environmental hurdles that delayed the launch for months. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) recently determined that there would be some environmental impact around the base and postponed the launch until SpaceX could meet all necessary licensing, safety, and regulatory requirements.
With the completion of all the required tests, the only remaining hurdle to launch the Starship and Super Heavy is obtaining a license from the FAA. As per an email statement provided to The Street, an FAA representative said that the regulatory body would only grant a license to SpaceX after they are convinced that the company has fulfilled all the necessary licensing, safety, and other regulatory prerequisites.
The Super Heavy Might Be Launched on April 17th
As per the FAA’s Operations Plan Advisory, the launch of the Super Heavy is tentatively scheduled for April 17th, with alternative launch dates available for each consecutive day until the 22nd. Sources communicating to Ars Technica say SpaceX is working closely with the FAA, and it’s expected that the regulatory body will finally provide a license.
In the event of the April 17th launch date materializing, SpaceX will be just one week away from achieving the first-ever launch of the Super Heavy. After liftoff, the Super Heavy and Starship are anticipated to disengage from each other, following which the Super Heavy will embark on its journey towards the Gulf of Mexico, while the Starship will continue its orbit around the Earth.
The Starship is expected to perform a re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere and land vertically in the Pacific Ocean, close to Hawaii.
Upon reaching the Earth’s orbit, the Starship will undergo re-entry into the planet’s atmosphere and carry out a vertical landing in the Pacific Ocean close to Hawaii. This touchdown will serve as a remarkable feat for SpaceX since it will be the inaugural launch of the Super Heavy.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this launch is a significant achievement for SpaceX and the space industry as a whole. It will be exciting to see how this launch progresses and what the future holds for Starship and Super Heavy. SpaceX’s mission to explore space and expand humanity’s presence beyond Earth is admirable, and we wish them all the best in their endeavors.
