As of: February 23, 2024, 8:18 p.m
By: Tanja Banner
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SpaceX's Starship rocket could soon launch monthly.
This aggressive schedule represents a challenge for the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Boca Chica/Starbase – SpaceX's gigantic rocket "Starship" has only completed two flights so far, but a change in this situation is in sight.
The third launch of the “Starship” is in the starting blocks, only the launch license from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is still missing.
According to a report by
Ars Technica
, it will continue in rapid succession after the third launch in 2024.
Kelvin Coleman, the FAA's commercial space administrator, is quoted as saying, "They have a pretty aggressive launch plan for this year."
And further: “I think there are at least nine launches planned this year.”
If the third “Starship” test flight takes place in March, a giant rocket could theoretically launch almost every month
of
2024.
Coleman emphasizes: “That’s a lot of starts.”
He further emphasizes: “If you make modifications and do them one after the other, it's a lot of work.” Therefore, discussions are being held with SpaceX to find out how this project can be implemented.
Commercial space travel: SpaceX criticized the FAA's pace of work
Last year, SpaceX criticized the FAA's slow pace of work.
SpaceX's William Gerstenmaier raised concerns: "With the increasing flight rates and the other players coming on board, we see that there may be a major industry problem coming our way, where the pace of government cannot keep up with the pace of development of the private sector."
So far, SpaceX has permission to carry out up to five “Starship” launches per year from the “Starbase” in south Texas.
Now this license is to be adjusted and the number of starts increased to nine.
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, expects the third Starship launch to take place in early to mid-March.
For the FAA's Coleman, who must license the flight, that timeline seems "about right,"
Ars Technica
reports.
SpaceX wants to take people to the moon with the “Starship” for NASA
There are valid reasons for the numerous planned “Starship” launches.
The spacecraft, which is placed on the top of the rocket, will in the future transport astronauts to the moon for the US space agency NASA.
The first manned flight to the moon was recently postponed to 2026.
Until then, SpaceX still has a lot to do: For example, the “Starship” is to be refueled in Earth orbit - a technology that has not yet been used and for which some flights will certainly be required.
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The second test flight of SpaceX's “Starship” took place on November 18, 2023.
(Archive photo) © dpa/AP/Eric Gay
With the rise of commercial space travel, the number of rocket launches in the United States has increased significantly and now exceeds 100 per year.
SpaceX alone launched 96 rockets last year, plus launches from other providers.
Coleman emphasizes that the FAA is doing its best.
“At the moment we are at about 140 employees and they are pedaling as fast as they can.
We work on the weekends.
We work late into the night.
We need additional staff.”
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