FAA Could Approve SpaceX’s Starship 5 Launch License This Month
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may grant SpaceX a license for its Starship 5 launch as early as this month, according to a source who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday. This comes after the FAA previously stated it would not make a decision until late November.
Potential October Launch
SpaceX announced on social media on Monday that the fifth flight test of Starship could happen as soon as October 13, pending regulatory approval. However, the FAA reiterated on Tuesday that it is still reviewing the proposed mission and will make a decision once all licensing requirements are met. The agency did not mention the earlier November timeframe.
Tensions Between SpaceX and the FAA
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been critical of the FAA, citing delays in granting approval for Starship 5’s launch. Musk has even called for the resignation of FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker and threatened to sue the agency. The FAA’s decision-making process has also been under scrutiny due to a proposed $633,000 fine against SpaceX over prior launch issues.
SpaceX suggested last month that the delay in obtaining the license was due to “superfluous environmental analysis” requirements by the FAA. At a congressional hearing, Whitaker responded by stating that SpaceX had failed to complete a necessary sonic boom analysis for the Starship 5 launch.
Additional Factors Contributing to the Delay
Whitaker mentioned that part of the delay was due to SpaceX not disclosing violations of Texas and federal laws related to certain matters. This lack of transparency, he argued, is a critical requirement for securing a launch permit.
Falcon 9’s Upcoming Missions
In a separate development, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is expected to return to flight as early as Monday for a mission involving the European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft. The FAA had previously grounded Falcon 9 after a malfunction during a NASA astronaut mission in September. The agency required SpaceX to investigate the issue, marking the third grounding of the vehicle in three months.
