SpaceX’s interplanetary spacecraft system could undergo its first orbital test as early as next week, according to a notice released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on April 5.
The possible launch date for the Starship system is April 10, with alternate launch dates of April 11 and 12, according to a notice posted Tuesday on the FAA’s Web site. The information appears in the FAA’s daily air traffic operations plan, which informs airlines and others of events that could cause flight delays.
But SpaceX has not yet received official permission from the FAA for this launch, and the launch date for the Starship system is still uncertain. Because the notice was issued by the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO), it has no say in the approval process for commercial space launches.
The FAA said the notice, which appeared on its website Tuesday, “should not be interpreted to mean that the FAA has decided or is about to decide to issue a launch permit” and that “the FAA will make a decision only after SpaceX has met all safety and other regulatory requirements.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Starliner system may not launch on April 10, and it is unclear whether it will be available for launch on April 11 and 12, according to people familiar with the matter.
Starship is a next-generation rocket system developed by SpaceX that can send cargo and people to the moon and Mars. The company’s latest launch test program is to send the Starship into orbit and around Earth.
