Today’s anticipated test flight attempt of SpaceX’s Starship SN9 prototype at Boca Chica had not happened as of 3 p.m. apparently because the Federal Aviation Administration as so far withheld approval for the planned launch.
Elon Musk, the company’s founder and CEO, was not happy. He had this to say on Twitter earlier this afternoon:
“Unlike its aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure. Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars.”
SpaceX’s Starship development program is aimed at eventual large-scale production of spacecraft capable of carrying humans to the Moon and Mars we well as destinations on Earth.
It wasn’t clear what issues the FAA had with the pending launch, though the agency issued this statement shortly before 3 p.m. today in response to a query from a Washington Post reporter: “We will continue working with SpaceX to resolve outstanding safety issues before we approve the next test flight. ”
A Temporary Flight Restriction to unlimited altitude for Boca Chica and the surrounding area for today was removed from the FAA’s NOTAM (Notices to Airmen) page earlier in the day, though an unlimited TFR remains in effect for Friday.
Also still in effect is a Cameron County closure order for Boca Chica Beach and S.H. 4 from F.M. 1419/Oklahoma Avenue to the beach until 6 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday for possible launch activities.
It’s possible that the FAA could reinstate today’s TFR and give SpaceX the go-ahead for a launch before 6 p.m., though it is unknown whether this is a likely scenario.
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9:45 a.m.
SpaceX is set to attempt a high-altitude launch and landing of its Starship SN9 prototype at Boca Chica today.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. announced the closure of Boca Chica Beach and S.H. 4 from F.M. 1419/Oklahoma Avenue to the beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today for a possible launch, with a backup launch date of Jan. 29 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. if today’s flight is scrubbed. Temporary Flight Restrictions from the Federal Aviation Administration are in force for Boca Chica and the surrounding area site today and tomorrow.
SpaceX plans to launch the rocket to approximately 33,000 feet before shutting down its three engines, allowing it to descend in a controlled “belly flop” attitude, then bringing it vertical again and reigniting the engines for a controlled landing. It would be the second high-altitude flight from Boca Chica and the fifth overall test flight by SpaceX at the site.
