Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: SpaceX

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a license authorization for SpaceX Starship Flight 4. 

“SpaceX met all safety and other licensing requirements for this test flight,” explains an FAA statement.

SpaceX has been eying a June 6 liftoff of the next Starship test flight.

For SpaceX details regarding the test flight, go to:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-4

As part of a request for license modification, SpaceX proposed three scenarios involving the Starship entry that would not require an investigation in the event of the loss of the vehicle.

SpaceX/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Scenarios

The FAA approved the scenarios, but if a different anomaly occurs with the Starship vehicle an investigation may be warranted as well as if an anomaly occurs with the Super Heavy booster rocket.

In addition, the FAA approved the mission profile that included a controlled and uncontrolled entry of the Starship vehicle.

If SpaceX chooses to execute an uncontrolled entry, the FAA statement explains, the company must communicate that decision to the FAA prior to launch.

Image credit: SpaceX

“As such, the loss of the Starship vehicle would be considered a planned event and an investigation will not be required,” concludes the FAA statement.

For details about the modifications and licensing go to:

https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DRSDOCID173891218620231102140506.0001?modalOpened=true