Musk’s Starship cleared to launch
March 14, 2024
By Chris Forrester
The US Federal Aviation Administration issued its somewhat last-minute approval and licence for the launch today (March 14th) of Elon Musk’s massive Starship rocket and its powerful ‘Super Heavy’ booster.
The FAA’s permission was essential, as were the issuing of Marine Hazard notices, Environmental requirements, alerts to aircraft, local road closures and Evacuation notices for nearby residents. The final element is the weather, of course.
The 110-minute launch window opens at midday (GMT) and takes place from its dedicated Boca Chica launch site in south Texas.
SpaceX says: “The third flight test aims to build on what we’ve learned from previous flights while attempting a number of ambitious objectives, including the successful ascent burn of both stages, opening and closing Starship’s payload door, a propellant transfer demonstration during the upper stage’s coast phase, the first ever re-light of a Raptor engine while in space, and a controlled reentry of Starship. It will also fly a new trajectory, with Starship targeted to splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This new flight path enables us to attempt new techniques like in-space engine burns while maximising public safety.”