SpaceX fully assembled Starship spacecraft awaiting launch clearance

Recommendations released last week from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hinted at

that the launch of the Starship spacecraft could take place on April 10, 11 or 12, 2023. The rocket system has already been assembled, but the probable launch date has been postponed.

What is known

The regulator has not yet issued SpaceXpermission to launch Starship. The day before, the agency postponed the possible date for the first orbital flight of the spacecraft. The 4-hour launch window will open on April 17 at 14:00 (EET).

Starship fully stacked at Starbase.Team is working towards a launch rehearsal next week followed by Starship’s first integrated flight test ~week later pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/9VbJLppswp

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 6, 2023

Despite not being licensed, Starship is alreadywaiting for the high point at the Starbase launch pad in Texas. Elon Musk's specialists have completed the assembly of the rocket system. It consists of two prototypes, which are called Ship 24 (ship) and Booster 7 (Super Heavy rocket booster).

Starship preparing for launch???? pic.twitter.com/M1pR8rsmYt

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 6, 2023

The 120-meter Super Heavy rocket is equipped with 33Raptor engines. The ship has only six of them. For SpaceX, the new rocket system will provide the ability to launch a large number of communications satellites into orbit at once, including second-generation Starlink. In addition, Starship will be used in 2025 during the landing of astronauts on the moon and during the landing on Mars, probably in the 2040s.