The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States has issued a license to SpaceX for the launch of the Starship Flight 4 test mission. The launch is currently scheduled for Thursday, June 6. The launch will take place from the SpaceX Starbase launch site near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas.
"SpaceX meets all safety and other licensing requirements for this test flight," the FAA statement said.
As the name suggests, the SpaceX Starship Flight 4 mission is the fourth test flight of the Starship and Super Heavy. When fully assembled, they stand at a height of almost 400 feet (about 122 meters) and are the largest and most powerful rocket in the world.
SpaceX has developed the Starship as a fully reusable heavy lift launch system for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. For example, the NASA Artemis program has chosen the Starship as the landing module to deliver Artemis 3 astronauts to the lunar south pole in 2026.
But before the Starship can fly to the Moon, SpaceX must prove that its brilliant stainless steel rocket can reach orbit.
As of today, the company has conducted three test launches:
- An unsuccessful debut in April 2023, which destroyed the SpaceX launch pad and the rocket;
- The second flight in November 2023, during which the rocket failed to reach space;
- The latest launch of Starship Flight 3 on March 18, 2024, was more successful, and the rocket for the first time managed to reach space. However, ultimately the rocket and its super-heavy booster were lost before reaching their final goals.
SpaceX is now pinning high hopes on the fourth test launch, scheduled for 3:00 pm Kiev time. There will be a 120-minute launch window available.
Source: space
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