SpaceX announced that its Starship rocket has received clearance from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to launch from its Texas test site. The launch, which will be the rocket’s first flight test from US soil, is scheduled for later this month.
The Starship rocket, designed by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, is an ambitious project intended to pave the way for the company’s plan to eventually establish a permanent presence on Mars. The rocket is designed to be reusable, delivering cargo to and from space, as well as performing reusable orbital launches.
The upcoming launch will be the first time the rocket has been tested with passengers, as engineers have previously used dummies to test the launch and re-entry of the craft. The craft is expected to reach an altitude of 12.5 kilometers (7.8 miles) during the flight test, and then land back at the test site in South Texas.
In addition to being a crucial test for the Starship project, the launch could also provide vital insight for other space projects. SpaceX is no stranger to setting records, and a successful launch will demonstrate the viability of their reusable rocket technology and even open the door for reusable launches to other planets.
SpaceX has been pushing the boundaries when it comes to space travel, and the upcoming Starship launch is yet another example of their bold ambition. With the FAA’s approval, they are now one step closer to turning their vision into reality.