The anticipation surrounding SpaceX’s Starship test flights is growing once again. The next flight of the world’s most powerful rocket could happen sooner than expected, with SpaceX aiming for a launch as early as Sunday. However, this is contingent upon approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is responsible for issuing commercial launch licenses. Despite earlier indications from the FAA that a decision wouldn't be made until late November, SpaceX remains hopeful that the agency could grant clearance sooner.
Potential for a Sunday Launch
SpaceX has announced that if the FAA grants its approval in time, the next Starship test flight could occur this weekend. The launch window is set to open at 7 a.m. CDT (8 a.m. EDT, 12:00 UTC) on Sunday at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas, just before sunrise.
“The fifth flight test of Starship will aim to take another step toward full and rapid reusability,” SpaceX said in a recent update. The mission’s goals include the first-ever return and catch attempt of the Super Heavy booster at the launch site, as well as a reentry and landing burn for Starship, targeting a splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
Aiming for Full Reusability
Standing at an impressive 400 feet tall when fully assembled, the Starship system consists of the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. This configuration represents a key milestone in SpaceX’s efforts to develop a fully reusable rocket system capable of carrying out multiple missions without discarding expensive components.
The Super Heavy booster, which is larger than a 747 jumbo jet, will perform a controlled descent back to the launch site using cold gas thrusters, aerodynamic grid fins, and the power of its Raptor engines. If successful, mechanical arms on the launch tower will capture the booster midair, an unprecedented move in rocketry.
This return and catch procedure is a critical part of SpaceX's long-term vision to enable rapid reuse of its rockets, significantly reducing costs and making space more accessible. Meanwhile, Starship will aim for a soft water landing in the Indian Ocean.
Safety Reviews and Environmental Concerns
The FAA’s review of the Starship flight plan has been ongoing for months, with the agency considering a range of safety and environmental factors. One of the primary concerns has been the sonic boom generated by the Super Heavy booster during its return, as well as the environmental impact of a disposable section of the booster, called a hot-staging ring, which will fall into the sea near the launch site.
During Starship’s last test flight in June, the Super Heavy booster performed a controlled descent into the Gulf of Mexico, giving SpaceX confidence to attempt a return to the launch pad for the next mission.
SpaceX has been vocal in its criticism of the length of time required for the FAA’s review process. In a statement last month, the company expressed frustration over what it described as "frivolous" delays, saying, "Unfortunately, instead of focusing resources on critical safety analysis, the licensing process has been derailed by issues ranging from the frivolous to the patently absurd."
In response, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards, stating during a congressional hearing in late September that the two-month delay was necessary to ensure compliance with launch requirements.
Ongoing Developments at Starbase
At the Starbase launch facility in Texas, SpaceX has been conducting various tests and preparations ahead of the upcoming launch. Recent propellant loading tests and evaluations of the launch pad’s water deluge system, which helps protect the infrastructure during launch, are among the critical tasks completed.
SpaceX also removed the Starship upper stage from the Super Heavy booster earlier this week to install the rocket’s flight termination system, a safety feature that would destroy the rocket if it veers off course.
SpaceX remains committed to ensuring the highest level of safety for its launches, noting that the return of the Super Heavy booster will only be attempted if all conditions are favorable. “We accept no compromises when it comes to ensuring the safety of the public and our team,” the company stated, adding that the booster will splash down in the Gulf of Mexico if the necessary safety criteria are not met.
Key Milestones for Starship’s Future
Successfully recovering the Super Heavy booster is a critical step for SpaceX’s ambition to create a fully reusable launch system. In addition to returning the booster, the company is also working to improve the recovery process for the Starship upper stage, though for now, the plan is to continue targeting water landings.
SpaceX has spent months upgrading both the Starship vehicle and the launch infrastructure at Starbase. Engineers have reinforced the catch tower and tested its ability to withstand the load of the booster. The team also spent more than 12,000 hours enhancing Starship’s heat shield to address issues seen in the June flight, when fragments of the heat shield broke off during reentry.
The upcoming flight will build upon the lessons learned from the June test, which marked the first time SpaceX completed an end-to-end Starship mission. The company hopes that these improvements will lead to a more successful reentry and splashdown this time around.
Future Goals: Orbital Flight and Beyond
While this test flight will not include an attempt to relight Starship’s Raptor engines in space, SpaceX is working toward that goal for future missions. Achieving sustained flight in low-Earth orbit is one of the next major objectives for the program, as it would open the door for in-space refueling, a critical capability for deep space missions to the Moon and Mars.
Starship is a cornerstone of SpaceX’s vision for humanity’s future in space. NASA has already contracted the company to develop a version of Starship to land astronauts on the Moon as part of its Artemis program. However, many more test flights will be needed before the rocket is ready to carry a crew.
With NASA aiming for a Moon landing in 2026, the upcoming test flight marks another step forward for SpaceX’s ambitious plans to revolutionize space travel and establish a permanent presence on other planets.
Xu Lin