SpaceX Starship Flight Test Date Hinted By Local Authorities & FAA

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) is nearing its Starship rocket's first orbital test flight. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has yet to grant SpaceX a launch license, multiple notices by the regulatory body and authorities in Boca Chica, Texas, indicate that an orbital launch attempt is definitely on the cards. They are joined by statements from SpaceX, its chief Mr. Elon Musk and the firm's filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), all of which indicate that a test flight can take place in the next week.

SpaceX Starship Launch With 'Unlimited' Altitude Listed By FAA

The latest bit on regulatory approval from the FAA is that a license is still pending. In fact, observer focus on a launch license also made authorities in Boca Chica reissue a road closure notice to explicitly state that any test flight activities will be conducted only if a license is granted.

Since SpaceX tests dangerous rockets in the area, officials in Boca Chica issue road and beach closures before such activities to ensure that people visiting the area are not harmed in the event of an anomaly. The latest notices were issued yesterday, and these are the first that explicitly mention that test launch and spaceflight activities are planned at SpaceX's facilities starting from the 17th of this month.

The latest notice issued by Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. reads as follows:

Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. has ordered the temporary closure of access to Boca Chica Beach as well as State Highway 4 from FM 1419 (Oklahoma Ave.) to the entrance of Boca Chica Beach due to anticipated test launch activities for SpaceX. This notice is subject to approval of a flight activity license by FAA if the closure is to be used for a launch.

"I have ordered the closure of Boca Chica Beach and Hwy 4 for the purpose of protecting Public Health and Safety during SpaceX non-flight testing activities on April 17, 2023, in the time period between 12:00 a.m. C.S.T. to 2:00 p.m. C.S.T. and in the alternative on April 18, 2023, or April 19, 2023, from 12:00 a.m. C.S.T. to 2:00 p.m. C.S.T., of the same day. SpaceX not complete its planned space flight activities on April 17, 2023, then SpaceX may use the alternate dates to complete its test launch activities," Treviño stated.

FAA's notice to airmen (NOTAM) listing down "unlimited altitude" for a SpaceX space operation.

Crucially still, the latest notice from Judge Treviño, while listing down the exact dates from an earlier notice that had promised only "non-flight" testing, is the first time authorities in Boca Chica have hinted at a flight test. These 'hints' are the final piece in the puzzle for a launch that was initially rumored to occur at the start of April's second week.

For its part, the FAA was also quick to put out a flight advisory with a test date of April 10th earlier this month. This advisory was later updated to the 17th, and the latest advisory lists April 17th as the primary date and April 18th as the backup option. Adding to this and showing a better understanding of the delays associated with spaceflight testing, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has reserved a WB-57 imaging plane from tomorrow to the end of May's first week for 'imaging' purposes.

Finally, notices to airmen (NOTAMs) from the FAA are another indication that Starship just might launch next week. Two of these have popped up on the FAA's website, and both not only reserve   the area around SpaceX's test site on April 17th and 18th for "Space Operations," but they add that the altitude for the operations will be "From the surface up to Unlimited."

Written by Ramish Zafar