SpaceX gets greenlight for Sunday launch

They got the greenlight.

SpaceX on Sunday plans to launch its Starship’s fifth integrated flight test at the Boca Chica Starbase, beginning at 7 a.m. It’ll be a 30-minute launch window now planned after SpaceX got FAA approval over the weekend.

Spectators and residents in the area should be aware of “loud noises resulting from the flight test,” a news release from SpaceX stated Saturday.

“At the time of launch, the rocket’s 33 Raptor engines may be audible while firing upon ignition and as the vehicle launches toward space,” SpaceX said. “About eight to ten minutes after liftoff, the Super Heavy booster may attempt, if strict conditions are met, a return to launch site and tower catch on the pad at Starbase. 

“Residents of Cameron County and those in the nearby area may hear one or more sonic booms during the return to launch site.”

You can witness the launch remotely at SpaceX’s live webcast about 30 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches.

The Brownsville Herald and MyRGV.com reported Thursday that Save RGV, a local environmental nonprofit group, had filed a lawsuit in federal court against SpaceX for its alleged release of untreated industrial waste water.

Under the Clean Water Act, the suit seeks to halt the “recurring” and “unpermitted discharges of untreated industrial wastewater from the deluge system at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site into waters of the United States.”

The suit was filed after Save RGV had previously sent two letters in June and July to Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, and Kathy Leuder, Boca Chica launch site general manager, informing them of the violation. 

As previously reported, SpaceX maintains that it never operated the deluge system without the state or federal go-ahead. The EPA did notify SpaceX on March 13, however, that it violated the Clean Water Act when deploying the deluge system. 

SpaceX was ordered to comply with federal regulations but did not face an EPA fine at the time.