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    FAA Poised to Grant SpaceX License for Starship 5 Launch This Month

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may approve a license for SpaceX’s highly anticipated Starship 5 launch as early as this month, according to a source familiar with the matter. This development comes despite the FAA’s earlier statement that it did not expect to reach a decision before late November.

    In a recent update, SpaceX announced via social media that it is aiming to conduct the fifth flight test of Starship as soon as October 13, contingent on receiving regulatory approval. While the FAA has not specified a timeline, it emphasized that it continues to review the proposed mission and will make a decision once SpaceX fulfills all licensing requirements.

    Questions about the delays in licensing arose during a congressional hearing last month. FAA Administrator Whitaker noted that SpaceX had not completed a necessary sonic boom analysis, which contributed to the holdup. “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, which is a requirement to obtain a permit,” Whitaker explained.

    In an email invitation to VIP guests, SpaceX indicated that it is targeting a launch date of Sunday but cautioned that there is always a possibility the test may not proceed on the first attempt.

    Meanwhile, the FAA has cleared SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket to return to flight for a mission scheduled for Monday, delivering the European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft from Florida. However, the agency previously grounded the Falcon 9 for the third time in three months due to issues concerning the second stage’s malfunction after a NASA astronaut mission.

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