SpaceX headed by billionaire Elon Musk has finally received an official license to launch the Starship rocket to space for the first time in history. The license will be valid for five years.
SpaceX Starship rocket ready for its launch. Image credit: SpaceX
The license was granted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration last Friday. This license was the final frontier that limited the progress of testing the novel launch technology in practice.
The launch should happen tomorrow, April 17. The precise hour was not disclosed, but it should happen from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time. It will be performed from the SpaceX Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas – this schedule has been confirmed by the company itself on Twitter.
Targeting as soon as Monday, April 17 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Starbase in Texas → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK pic.twitter.com/Ry25Uuvknh
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 14, 2023
“After a comprehensive license evaluation process, the FAA determined SpaceX met all safety, environmental, policy, payload, airspace integration and financial responsibility requirements,” stated FAA in its official announcement.
Previously, SpaceX targeted earlier dates for the launch of its Starship rocket, but the licensing process delayed the original plans. The rocket is expected to demonstrate its orbital flight capabilities.
