WASHINGTON – SpaceX is gearing up for the next launch of its Starship vehicle in early May, pending the acquisition of an amended launch license. Gwynne Shotwell, President, and COO of SpaceX, announced at the Satellite 2024 conference on March 19 that the company is in the process of reviewing data from the vehicle’s third integrated launch on March 14 and anticipates being prepared for another flight in the near future.
During the previous launch, both the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage performed according to plan, placing the vehicle on its intended suborbital trajectory. Although there were successful demonstrations, such as a propellant transfer activity and payload door opening, a planned relight of Starship’s Raptor engines in space did not occur, leading to a vehicle breakup during reentry at approximately 65 kilometers altitude. The Super Heavy booster also exploded during its descent to the Gulf of Mexico.
To address the mishap, SpaceX is conducting an investigation that needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modify the launch license for the next Starship launch. FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Kelvin Coleman, expressed confidence that the investigation will not reveal any major issues that could significantly delay the upcoming launch.
SpaceX has been updating its Starship launch license after each flight, adapting to changes in the mission. The FAA is exploring a new approach where the license remains valid for a portfolio of launches, rather than individual ones. This shift is crucial as SpaceX plans additional Starship launches this year.
In efforts to streamline the launch licensing process, the FAA plans to establish an aerospace rulemaking committee to gather industry input on enhancing regulations. Shotwell emphasized the focus on getting Starship operational to deploy satellites into orbit and recover both stages with rapid turnaround times.
As SpaceX prepares for the next Starship launch, the company remains committed to advancing its capabilities in space exploration and transportation. Stay tuned for updates on SpaceX’s journey to revolutionize the future of space travel.