Starship Test Flight 2023: SpaceX is Gearing Up for November Launch, Awaiting Green Light

After as much as eight months since SpaceX first conducted Starship's first test flight and saw its explosion, the company is now looking forward to its second launch to take place this November. SpaceX is no longer keeping the public and those who have stakes in its massive spacecraft waiting, as the company wants it to take place this month.

However, it is still awaiting the green light for its test flight operations for the Stainless Steel spacecraft, especially after the massive requirements from the FAA.

Starship Test Flight 2023: Aiming for a November Launch

According to a recent post by SpaceX via X, the Starship is already preparing for its second test flight to feature the capabilities and power of its next-gen rocket for future missions. As per the company's post, it is targeting a test by this Friday, November 17, but this is still pending regulatory approval as it faces a significant list of what it has to work on the spacecraft.

SpaceX also has a dedicated page on its website that highlights the upcoming launch of the company, looking into the second time it will go atop the Super Heavy Booster rocket and be picked up by the Mechazilla.

While there is still no confirmed time or date for this second flight, SpaceX is already inviting viewers to watch the live stream via its X account.

SpaceX is Awaiting the Green Light for Starship Launch

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) gave SpaceX as many as 63 corrective actions it requires the company to accomplish before its next approval for a flight. According to SpaceX, the company already met those requirements and is now awaiting the green light from regulatory bodies for their next launch of the Starship.

SpaceX announced that it added a new hot-stage separation system, an electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC), reinforced pad control, and a water-cooled steel flame deflector.

SpaceX and its Renowned Starship

Since Musk and SpaceX flaunted its Starship, it has been the center of attention in the space aviation industry, particularly because it promises a fully reusable spacecraft for various operations. For many years, the company has tested the capabilities of the Starship on various occasions, with the launch and land features seeing massive focus in past ventures.

The infamous April 20 launch of SpaceX in its Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas has left the world in awe, especially as it saw the spacecraft fly for only four minutes before it tumbled over and exploded. However, that was not the only concern on the Starship, particularly as reports and experts also centered on the concrete hole it left on its launch site after its maiden flight.

Its previous test launch saw the first time it went airborne with the Starship fully stacked above its Super Heavy Booster rocket, its main setup for future flights. SpaceX claimed that it already finished the FAA's demands and requirements for them to meet their eligibility for their next test, with the Starship already awaiting the green light for its second launch to prove its capabilities to the world.