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Starship’s Third Test Flight Receives FAA Launch License
SpaceX’s Starship is gearing up for its third-ever test flight on Thursday morning, March 14. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially granted a launch license for this important mission. According to the FAA, SpaceX has met all necessary safety, environmental, policy, and financial requirements for the launch.
Launch Details
The massive 400-foot-tall Starship is set to take off from SpaceX’s Starbase site in South Texas within a 110-minute window that opens at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT). Viewers can watch the launch live on Space.com starting at 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT).
Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever constructed, intended to be fully reusable to facilitate human settlement on the moon and Mars. Despite setbacks in its previous test flights, SpaceX remains committed to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
Ambitious Objectives
Thursday’s test flight will introduce several ambitious objectives, including successful ascent burns of both stages, opening and closing of Starship’s payload door, a propellant transfer demonstration during the upper stage’s coast phase, the first-ever re-light of a Raptor engine in space, and a controlled reentry of Starship. These efforts showcase SpaceX’s relentless pursuit of innovation and advancement in space technology.
Furthermore, this test launch aims to land Starship’s upper stage in the Indian Ocean, a departure from previous test missions that targeted the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. This strategic decision underscores SpaceX’s commitment to exploring new capabilities and expanding the boundaries of spaceflight.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration with its Starship program, the upcoming test flight represents a significant milestone in the journey towards establishing a presence on other celestial bodies. The successful execution of these ambitious objectives will pave the way for future missions and ultimately expand humanity’s reach beyond Earth.
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