SpaceX has recently shipped its booster and spacecraft for the third Starship integrated flight test (IFT-3), marking a significant milestone in the development of its ambitious interplanetary transport system. The delay between the second and third tests has caused some concerns, but the company remains committed to advancing its Starship rocket technology.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), SpaceX has not yet fulfilled the necessary documentary requirements for third license approval. However, this has not deterred the company from sharing new images of its rockets, indicating its continued progress in the development of the world's first pure-play interplanetary transport system.

SpaceX's CEO, Elon Musk, expressed confidence that the Starship rocket will be capable of reaching the Moon within the next five years, highlighting the company's commitment to lunar missions and its aspirations for deep space exploration.

Compared to other launch vehicles in the aerospace industry, such as NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and vehicles from Blue Origin and ULA, SpaceX's Starship stands out for its ability to carry significantly higher payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO). This capability is essential for future Mars missions, as the rocket's payload capacity decreases when traveling to more distant destinations like the International Space Station (ISS).

While updates on licensing progress are limited, SpaceX has resumed its Starship development activities at its Texas facilities. The company has transported its rockets to the launch pad, and recent footage shows the impressive sight of the 165-feet tall second stage Starship stacked on top of the 232-feet tall Starship Super Heavy booster.

SpaceX faced setbacks in 2023 when the first test flight resulted in significant damage to the launch pad. The subsequent reconstruction and approval process put pressure on the company's ability to meet its test milestones for NASA's Artemis program. However, Musk's recent comments suggest that SpaceX is on track to meet the timelines set by NASA.

As Starship has been selected as the lander for lunar missions, it must first demonstrate its unmanned landing capabilities on the lunar surface before it can be utilized by astronauts. The crewed Starship landing is scheduled for the NASA Artemis 3 mission in 2026. Depending on the actual date of the mission, it has the potential for humans to surpass the current record for the maximum distance traveled from Earth, which stands at over 400,000 kilometers and was set by the Apollo 13 mission.

The recent comments from Musk, speculating that Starship could reach the Moon in less than five years, may also align with the timeline for the dearMoon Project. This ambitious endeavor was one of the early contracts secured by SpaceX for its Starship, aiming to transport civilian passengers on a lunar flyby mission.

While the stacking of the second stage Starship on the first stage is not indicative of an immediate test attempt – as approval from the FAA is still pending – it signifies progress towards the third flight. Despite the second Starship test flight taking place in November, SpaceX has continued its development through test firing its rockets.

SpaceX's relentless pursuit of space exploration and the development of the ambitious Starship rocket system signals a new era in interplanetary travel. As the company moves closer to its goal of reaching the Moon and expanding humanity's presence in space, the world eagerly awaits the further advancements and achievements of this groundbreaking project.