SpaceX Starship Flight 7 gets FAA license for the upcoming test

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published a launch license for the SpaceX Starship Flight 7 rocket mission. However, the agency has not shared a specific date mentioned in the published document.

“SpaceX is authorized, subject to the provisions of 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, chapter 509, and the orders, rules, and regulations issued under it, to conduct launches of the Starship-Super Heavy vehicle.” wrote FAA.

The latest revision in the Starship flight test was issued on December 17, 2024, and has been effective since then. This means the company has permission to fly this rocket from this date forward.

The reason for this fast license could be related to the mission objectives, which remained the same as the previous two flights. The company has been working on further improvements in the first and second stages.

The FAA has just issued the Launch License for Starship test flight 7. Let’s Go!!

12/17/24https://t.co/CnKR6jZI1f pic.twitter.com/L76nOZ4R8P

— Starship Gazer (@StarshipGazer) December 17, 2024

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The flight objectives include the liftoff and clearing the ground with 33 Raptor engines. The next phase in the flight objective is hot-staging and sending back the booster for vertical landing on the launch tower.

However, the company will keep the fail-safe plan for the booster lading and deflect it to the Gulf of Mexico in case of any issues in the landing communication.

SpaceX Starship Flight 6 Liftoff (Source – SpaceX)

The second stage will lead the mission into sub-orbit and perform an in-orbit burn followed by the atmospheric reentry. During descent, the flight tests its onboard heat shield tile and structure against rising temperature.

The Starship will perform a flip maneuver with a final burn and splashdown vertically in the Indian Ocean.

A previous report suggests that SpaceX could conduct Starship Flight 7 on January 11, 2025, from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.

(source)