US FAA could approve SpaceX Starship 5 license this month, source says
Adds no immediate FAA comment, background in paragraph 3-9
By David Shepardson and Marisa Taylor
WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration could approve a license for the launch of SpaceX's Starship 5 as soon as this month, a source told Reuters on Tuesday.
Last month, the FAA said it did not expect a determination on a license before late November. SpaceX said on social media late on Monday that Starship's fifth flight test could launch as soon as Oct. 13, pending regulatory approval.
The FAA, which has repeatedly said it did not expect to decide on a license until late November, on Tuesday only said it continues to review the proposed mission and would make a decision "once SpaceX has met all licensing requirements." It made no mention of the November timeframe.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has harshly criticized the FAA, including for proposing a $633,000 fine against SpaceX over launch issues and for the delay in approving the license for Starship5, which the company says hasbeen ready to launch since August.
Musk has called for the resignation of FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker and threatened to sue the agency.
SpaceX suggested last month the delay in FAA approval was over "superfluous environmental analysis"
Whitaker faced questions at a congressional hearing last month about the delay and responded thatSpaceX had failed to complete a timely sonic boom analysis for the Starship 5 launch.
"The delay of the Starship (launch) had to do with SpaceX filing an application and not disclosing that they were in violation of Texas and federal law on some matters, and that's a requirement to get a permit," Whitaker said.
In an emailinvitation to VIP guests seen by Reuters, SpaceX said it is targeting the launchfor Sunday. The invitation added "as with any test, there is a chance we don't launch on the first attempt."
On Sunday, the FAA said SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9 rocket could return to flight for a mission on Monday for the European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft from Florida.
The FAA on Sept. 30 said SpaceX must investigate why the second stage of its Falcon 9 malfunctioned after a NASA astronaut mission, grounding the launch vehicle for the third time in three months.
Reporting by David Shepardson and Marisa Taylor; Editing by Leslie Adler and Deepa Babington
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
