Space fans can now rest easily: the Federal Aviation Administration has formally approved the third Starship test launch from the company’s facilities in Boca Chica, Texas. Shortly before 5 PM EDT, they issued a launch license (pictured above).
That flight could take place as soon as tomorrow morning, Thursday, March 14, 2024. The launch window extends from 8:00 AM – 9:50 AM EDT.
Photo: Richard Gallagher / Florida Media Now
Starship Launching In Texas, But Will Have A Profound Effect Here On The Space Coast
While this third flight of Starship originates in Texas, and will likely thread a path through the Florida Straits, it will have a major effect on the Space Coast over time. First of all, Starship is the human-lander component of Project Artemis, which will return humans to the moon for the first time since 1972. Secondly, once operational, SpaceX plans to launch the world’s most powerful and largest rocket from here on the Eastern Range.
More about Starship launching at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station:
The US Air Force Is Studying Space Coast Launch Pads For SpaceX Starship
What The Test Launch Entails
A fully successful test launch will see a suborbital flight at more than 98% of orbital velocity. To achieve that, Starship Heavy will need to have a successful liftoff, first-stage flight, and second-stage “Starship” (as SpaceX refers to its second stage) flight to SECO.
Post-SECO, the company plans to open and close Starship’s payload doors again and perform an internal propellant transfer from one tank system to another to demonstrate its capability and learn from the first attempt at moving cryogenic rocket fuels and oxidizers in orbit.
Finally, the mission will conclude with a successful re-entry and landing in the Indian Ocean.
Courtest Space Intelligence.
Trajectory
Via Dr. Joanthon McDowell an astronomer and astrophysicist at the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Starship’s trajectory is planned to fly over the Gulf of Mexico, then through the Florida Straits and out over the Atlantic after which it will pass over southern Africa before re-entering in the Indian Ocean.
How Can I Watch?
SpaceX will offer live streaming of the launch via their website and the X platform: Starship Test Flight 3. Coverage is slated to begin at 7:26 AM EDT according to the company.
Spaceflight Now will offer streaming coverage on YouTube: Spaceflight Now. The start time of this coverage is not yet available.
Everyday Astronaut, run by future Starship passenger Tim Dodd will begin live coverage of the launch at 12 AM tomorrow on YouTube: Everyday Astronaut