Starship launch slated today; SpaceX get FAA approval

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted approval for a high-altitude test launch and landing of SpaceX’s Starship SN9 prototype at Boca Chica Beach today.

A launch attempt scheduled for last week did not take place due to FAA approval not being secured. SpaceX announced last week that it plans to fly the three-engine SN9 to an altitude of approximately 33,000 feet, perform a power-off, belly-flop-style descent “under active aerodynamic control,” transition propellant to the internal “header tanks” that hold the landing propellant, then maneuver the rocket’s tail toward the ground for a power-on landing.

SpaceX hopes to avoid the rough landing that destroyed Starship SN8 on Dec. 9 in what was an otherwise successful, 41,000-foot flight, according to the company’s founder and CEO, Elon Musk. The SN9 launch would be the second high-altitude test flight at Boca Chica and the fifth overall since August 2019.