FAA Grants SpaceX License For Starship Orbital Flight Test

Starship

Credit: SpaceX

The FAA has issued a vehicle operator license to SpaceX for the first orbital flight test of its Starship/Super Heavy launch system.

SpaceX said it is targeting the launch for as early as April 17 from Boca Chica, Texas. The 150-min. launch window opens at 8 a.m. EDT.

“After a comprehensive license evaluation process, the FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental, policy, payload, airspace integration and financial responsibility requirements,” the agency said in a statement on April 14. 

The license, which covers a single launch, is valid for five years.
 

Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.