On October 13, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted a license for SpaceX's Starship 5 launch, scheduled for October 14. This decision came earlier than expected, as the FAA had previously indicated that a decision would not be made until late November.
The launch window opens at 7:00 am CT (1200 GMT) from Boca Chica, Texas. The Starship spacecraft, along with the Super Heavy rocket, is designed for reusable missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond.
During this fifth test flight, the Super Heavy booster rocket will attempt to return to the launch site for a catch by the launch tower, while the Starship vehicle is set for a water landing in the Indian Ocean west of Australia. The FAA confirmed that SpaceX has met all necessary safety and environmental requirements for this suborbital test flight.
Additionally, the FAA approved the mission profile for Starship 6, indicating ongoing progress in SpaceX's ambitious plans for space exploration.