After years of development, the company SpaceX indicated that she was ready to launch its new Starship-Super Heavy rocket. According to Gary Henry, senior space solutions adviser for national security at SpaceX, the craft is in “good condition” after 31 of its 33 engines statically fired on Feb. 9.
Henry said at a space mobility conference in Orlando, co-hosted with l’US Space Forcewhat ignition was successful and that it was “the last checkbox”. He added that the vehicle was in good condition, and so was the launch pad.
Now SpaceX is left with just one big challenge, obtain a flight license from the FAA or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A doubt remains concerning the date
Over the past two years, SpaceX has already announced several launch dates for the Starship-Super Heavy. However, due to the lack of a license issued by the FAA, these dates have always been postponed. So even though the company is currently ready for launch, there is still a doubt concerning a take-off in March.
The role of the FAA
In order to issue a flight license, the FAA must consider different factors such as environmental issues and impacts on the local community around the launch site in Boca Chica, Texas.
Over the past several years, the FAA has already conducted programmatic environmental assessment which has been delayed several times by regulatory complications and public interests. The document containing the final conclusion was finally published in June 2022.
At the time of the document’s release, the FAA told SpaceX that it should still complete 75 actions before the launch is approved. So far, the company has not published an action plan regarding the accomplishment of these actions. Additionally, FAA assessments typically take time, which could make a Mars liftoff uncertain.
For SpaceX, the Starship-Super Heavy will send astronauts and equipment to the Moon and Mars. The device will also be used to send into orbit the second generation satellites of Starlink which are bigger than the previous ones. In any case, let’s wait and see what the FAA will decide regarding the very first orbital flight of SpaceX’s new heavy launch vehicle.
SOURCE: Space.com