SpaceX to Launch Starship 5 on Sunday at 7:35 AM ET with FAA Approval, Attempt Historic Booster Catch

Oct 12, 2024, 04:29 PM

SpaceX is preparing for the fifth test flight of its Starship rocket, scheduled for Sunday, October 13. The launch will take place at Starbase, Texas, and will feature the Starship 30 (S30) and Booster 12 (B12). This test is notable for SpaceX's attempt to catch the returning Super Heavy booster using the Mechazilla launch tower arms, a first in aerospace history. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the necessary launch license, ensuring regulatory approval. The launch window opens at 7:35 AM ET. The Starship, which boasts more than double the thrust of the Saturn V Moon rocket, is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. This flight is part of SpaceX's broader goal to advance space exploration and is seen as a key step for the Artemis program, which aims to carry astronauts to the Moon.