SpaceX's Starship SN20 was initially slated for its first orbital test flight in February 2022. However, an extended review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under Associate Administrator Wayne Monteith, has pushed back this timeline.
On Wednesday, December 29, the Starship SN20 prototype underwent a successful pre-burn test of its Raptor engines at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas. This marks preparation for upcoming static fires and the historic first orbital attempt, where the upper stage will launch atop the Super Heavy booster. When might this milestone flight occur?
Weeks earlier, SpaceX targeted January or February 2022, contingent on the FAA finalizing its Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) of the launch site by December 31. Regrettably, further delays are now anticipated.
On Tuesday, December 28, the FAA announced a postponement of its final environmental report to February 28, 2022. As the U.S. regulator for civil aviation, the FAA authorizes Starship test flights after establishing safety zones around launch and landing areas. The delay stems from "the high volume of public comments (over 18,000)" and "ongoing consultations with stakeholders."
Upon completion, the FAA could issue a "Finding of No Significant Impact," a "Finding of Mitigated Impact" requiring adjustments, or deny the request, potentially setting the program back years.
Assuming approval proceeds as hoped and the flight targets spring 2022, Super Heavy will splash down in the Gulf of Mexico post-liftoff, while Starship completes an Earth orbit before landing off Kauai, Hawaii.
Success here would validate Starship's full reusability for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. Elon Musk envisions even broader applications, transforming Solar System exploration.
