**FAA Greenlights SpaceX Starship 5 Launch for Sunday After Accelerated Review**

In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted SpaceX a launch license for the fifth mission of its next-generation Starship spacecraft, set to take off on Sunday. Earlier indications from the FAA suggested a decision wouldn’t be made until late November, a timetable that was unexpectedly expedited.

This development follows reports from Reuters earlier this week, highlighting a faster-than-expected review process. The FAA confirmed on Saturday that SpaceX had satisfied all safety, environmental, and licensure conditions necessary for this suborbital test flight. Furthermore, the approval extends to the mission profile for Starship 6.

The Starship spacecraft, coupled with the Super Heavy rocket, is a fully reusable system engineered for transporting crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond. The upcoming test flight will launch from Boca Chica, Texas, and features a planned return to the launch site for the Super Heavy booster rocket, which will attempt a catch maneuver by the launch tower. The Starship vehicle itself will aim for a water landing in the Indian Ocean, west of Australia.

According to the FAA, if SpaceX opts for an uncontrolled entry, this must be communicated prior to launch. In such a scenario, the loss of the Starship vehicle would be considered a planned event, hence negating the need for a mishap investigation.

In related news, the FAA on Friday cleared the SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle for its return to flight. This decision came after the FAA reviewed and accepted SpaceX’s findings and corrective actions following the mishap on September 28.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been openly critical of the FAA, particularly concerning a proposed $633,000 fine over previous launch issues and delays in the Starship 5 license approval, for which the company claims readiness since August. Musk has gone as far as calling for the resignation of FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker and has hinted at potential legal action against the agency.