Starship – Page 3 – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launches Starlink mission on third attempt from Kennedy Space Center

March 13, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX completed its third attempt to launch the Starlink 6-44 mission Friday night. Liftoff 8:21 p.m. ET (0021 UTC).

SpaceX tentatively targets March 14 for third Starship flight

March 7, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX published a livestream for the mission, suggesting it could launch its more than 400-foot-tall rocket by mid-March. There are still a number of outstanding items before that could happen, including the Federal Aviation Administration issuing a launch license.

First astronaut missions to the Moon since 1972 delayed due to heat shield questions, hardware readiness

January 10, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced on Tuesday that Artemis 2 will be delayed until Sept. 2025 and Artemis 3 until Sept. 2026. The additional time is needed both from a hardware readiness perspective as well as to answer outstanding questions about the heat shield.

SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral with 23 Starlink satellites

January 7, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The next batch of 23 Starlink satellites for SpaceX’s space-based internet service roard into orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket launched Sunday from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 5:35 p.m. EST (2235 UTC).

SpaceX poised for ‘mid-November’ launch of second Starship test flight

November 4, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

More than half a year after its first flight, SpaceX believes it’s on the cusp of getting to launch its Starship rocket for a second time.

FAA concludes SpaceX Starship safety review, continues environmental review

October 31, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX’s highly anticipated second test flight of its Starship super heavy lift rocket is one step closer to liftoff from South Texas. On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced the conclusion of its safety review. The FAA said it is still working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete an environmental review.

On-time Artemis landings by SpaceX, Blue Origin possible, but face “great challenges”

October 27, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The head of NASA’s Human Landing System program sat down with Spaceflight Now to discuss the progress of getting humans back to the Moon for the first time since 1972.

SpaceX battles regulatory process that could hold up Starship test flight for months

October 18, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX leadership is heading to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to lobby for greater efficiency when it comes regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The company is hoping to streamline the process of issuing launch licenses for both Starship test flights and more routine Falcon 9 rocket missions.

FAA concludes Starship mishap investigation, 63 corrective actions needed before second flight

September 8, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday the conclusion its mishap investigation into the first integrated test flight of SpaceX’s reusable Starship launch vehicle. It stressed SpaceX has 63 corrective actions that need to be taken before Starship can make a second test flight.

Musk declares Starship is ready for its second test flight, following stacking

September 6, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

Another SpaceX Starship rocket stands fully integrated against the South Texas horizon and company-founder Elon Musk said from his perspective, they’re ready to launch. However, the Federal Aviation Administration has not yet issued a launch licence.