The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted SpaceX a license for its third test flight of the Starship Super Heavy vehicle. The highly anticipated launch is scheduled for Thursday morning, March 14th, with a 110-minute launch window opening at 7AM CT.

In a statement on X, which is also owned by Elon Musk, the FAA declared that SpaceX had fulfilled all safety, environmental, policy, and financial responsibility requirements. This is a significant milestone for the company, considering the corrective actions provided by the FAA prior to the second launch attempt.

Both of the previous Starship launches experienced explosive endings. The first launch caused substantial damage to the launchpad and resulted in a vast debris field, along with a significant fire. With 63 corrective actions to address propellant leaks, the second launch attempt took place last spring.

To maximize public safety, SpaceX has chosen a new flight trajectory for the third test flight. Instead of aiming for a spot closer to Hawaii, as in the previous attempts, they are targeting a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This strategic change will allow for in-space engine burns and other ambitious objectives while ensuring the safety of the public.

This upcoming test flight aims to build upon the lessons learned from the earlier missions. SpaceX plans to achieve several significant milestones, including the successful ascent burn of both stages, opening and closing Starship's payload door, demonstrating propellant transfer during the upper stage's coast phase, and conducting the first-ever re-light of a Raptor engine while in space. Additionally, the flight will test a controlled reentry of the Starship.

As always, there is anticipation and excitement surrounding this momentous event. Viewers planning to witness this test flight are advised to check for any last-minute cancellations or the possibility of an early launch within the designated window.

Space enthusiasts eagerly await this next step in SpaceX's journey towards revolutionizing space travel. The successful completion of the objectives outlined for the third test flight will undoubtedly propel the company closer to its goal of making space more accessible and exploring new frontiers.