FAA Issues SpaceX "Orbital" Starship Launch License; SpaceX Targets Monday For Starship Flight 8

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an updated version of the launch license for SpaceX’s Starship-Super Heavy vehicle, introducing key changes in operational, environmental, and safety requirements.

The revised License No. VOL 23-129 Rev. 5.2 reflects the latest regulatory modifications and conditions SpaceX must adhere to for continued launches from its Boca Chica, Texas, facility.

Key License Revisions and Updates

Operational Changes

The revised license mandates SpaceX to use a Ship 29-Booster 11 configuration unless otherwise modified.

It also refines the definitions of pre-flight ground operations, flight, and reentry processes to ensure clarity.

Additionally, the FAA has established a new orbital “flight” endpoint, defining mission completion after payload deployment or vehicle impact, landing, and subsequent site safety measures.

Environmental and Safety Compliance

SpaceX must adhere to stringent environmental measures set forth in various FAA assessments from 2022 to 2024.The updated license requires the company to report any environmental violations within 15 calendar days.

Additionally, SpaceX must submit an annual compliance certification, confirming adherence to all environmental laws and regulations.

The FAA also mandates monitoring and reporting on SpaceX’s deluge system water use within 45 days of sampling.

Expanded Population Exposure Analysis

To enhance public safety, SpaceX must update its population exposure analysis annually and ensure all high-risk population centers within the 1E-6 casualty probability contour are accurately represented in its safety models.

Financial Responsibility Requirements

The FAA requires SpaceX to maintain $48 million in liability insurance for pre-flight operations and $500 million for in-flight incidents, ensuring financial coverage for potential claims.

FAA Oversight and Special Reporting Conditions

The FAA will station a Safety Inspector at SpaceX’s Boca Chica facility for all flight operations.

SpaceX must confirm maritime hazard warnings 24 hours before launch and submit reports on pre-flight anomalies that could impact public safety within 90 days.

Regulatory Path Forward

This license update signifies enhanced regulatory oversight as SpaceX progresses toward its goal of making Starship a fully reusable deep-space vehicle. These measures ensure that launches remain safe, environmentally compliant, and well-regulated as SpaceX pursues ambitious missions, including lunar and Mars exploration.

The license remains valid for five years from April 14, 2023, with any future modifications requiring additional FAA approval and environmental evaluations.

Upcoming Starship Flight Test

SpaceX is targeting March 3 for its eighth Starship flight test, incorporating several hardware and operational improvements based on lessons learned from the seventh flight test.

The primary objectives include Starship’s first payload deployment and multiple reentry experiments aimed at returning the upper stage to the launch site for catch in the future. The mission will also attempt the launch, return, and catch of the Super Heavy booster.

To enhance reliability, SpaceX has made significant modifications to Starship’s upper stage. The forward flaps have been upgraded to reduce reentry heating exposure, and the propulsion system now holds 25% more propellant for extended mission durations. A full avionics system redesign introduces additional redundancy for complex operations such as propellant transfer and vehicle return to the launch site.

During the flight, Starship will deploy four Starlink simulators on a suborbital trajectory, expected to burn up upon reentry. A single Raptor engine relight in space is also planned.

Multiple reentry experiments will test thermal protection materials, including metallic tiles and active cooling systems. The flight will further evaluate catch fittings, radar sensor accuracy for vehicle retrieval, and structural performance under maximum entry stress conditions.

The Super Heavy booster will feature upgraded avionics, including a more powerful flight computer, improved power distribution, and integrated smart batteries. Its return and catch will depend on meeting strict vehicle and pad criteria, ensuring public and team safety. If conditions are not met, the booster will default to a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. Residents near the landing site may experience sonic booms as the booster slows from supersonic speeds.

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