Elon Musk Urges FAA to Allow More Starship Tests in 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted a launch license for the upcoming Starship flight test, scheduled for Monday afternoon. SpaceX is gearing up for the seventh test of the world’s largest rocket at their Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. The launch window opens at 5 p.m. EST.
The updated Starship vehicle will feature enhancements to its upper stage, propulsion system, and heat shield, aiming to improve performance and enable longer missions. During this flight test, SpaceX plans to deploy 10 Starlink simulators on a suborbital trajectory, with splashdown targeted in the Indian Ocean.
In addition to the satellite deployment test, SpaceX intends to attempt catching the rocket booster at the launch pad, a maneuver that caused sonic booms during a previous demonstration. Upgrades to the catch tower aim to enhance the feasibility of this operation.
Moreover, SpaceX plans to reuse hardware from previous flights, such as a Raptor engine from a booster used in a previous test. The company also aims to reignite Raptor engines in space for an orbital burn, a crucial step for future missions.
Looking ahead to 2025, Elon Musk envisions significantly increasing the number of Starship launches. His proposal suggests conducting 25 flight tests this year, pending approval from regulators. With Musk’s growing influence, these plans may shape the future of space exploration.
Public input on SpaceX’s proposal is being sought by the FAA through a series of meetings in January. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of the Starship flight tests.
SpaceX’s highly anticipated Starship rocket continues to make waves in the aerospace industry with its ambitious goals and groundbreaking achievements. The Starship, classified as a super heavy-lift launch vehicle, is regarded as the largest and most powerful rocket ever constructed. Standing at a towering height of 400 feet, the rocket comprises two main components: the 165-foot Starship spacecraft itself and the 232-foot Super Heavy rocket that it sits atop.
With years of development and testing behind it, SpaceX envisions the Starship as a fully reusable transportation system capable of ferrying both humans and cargo to various destinations, including Earth’s orbit, the moon, and even Mars. Under NASA’s Artemis III lunar exploration plans, astronauts aboard the Orion capsule are slated to board the Starship while in orbit for a journey to the moon’s surface. Looking ahead, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has set ambitious targets, aiming to launch the first Starships to Mars by late 2026 and follow up with crewed missions in 2028, aligning with the next optimal Earth-Mars trajectory.
In 2024, SpaceX made significant strides with the Starship through a series of pivotal flight tests. The fourth and final test of the year took place in November, attracting attention as it unfolded in front of then newly-elected President Trump. Preceded by two tests in 2023, these flight tests have shown steady progress with each iteration. Notably, during the fourth test on June 6, the Starship successfully landed in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant milestone following three prior tests that had ended in explosions.
A key breakthrough in 2024 occurred on October 13 when the rocket booster demonstrated autonomous steering capability, enabling it to navigate back to the landing pad. Once there, the booster was skillfully caught by two massive mechanical arms, showcasing SpaceX’s innovative approach to achieving complete reusability in its vehicles. This achievement holds immense importance for the company, as a reusable booster paves the way for cost-effective and sustainable space travel by allowing the rocket to be relaunched multiple times.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the upcoming Starship test flights draw considerable attention. Scheduled for the seventh flight, the launch promises to be a significant milestone in SpaceX’s pursuit of advancing space technology. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the date, time, and objectives of the upcoming Starship launch.
For more breaking and trending news, follow Eric Lagatta’s coverage on USA TODAY. Contact him at elagatta@gannett.com.
