SpaceX targets March 14 for next Starship test flight

SpaceX is gearing up for the third test flight of its massive Starship rocket, aiming for a launch as early as March 14, according to a company announcement on Wednesday.

Awaiting regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), SpaceX remains optimistic as it completed a crucial "wet dress" rehearsal over the weekend at its Starbase facility in Texas. This involved loading the 400-foot-tall Starship with over 10 million pounds of propellant, simulating the countdown sequence to T-minus 10 seconds.

Despite the FAA's completion of its investigation into SpaceX's second Starship launch, requiring 17 corrective actions before issuing a modified license, the company anticipates receiving approval in time for the March 14 target.

Previous Starship tests ended with mid-air explosions, but each one demonstrated advancements. The upcoming flight aims for ambitious goals, including a propellant transfer demonstration during the upper stage's coasting phase and the first-ever relight of a Raptor engine in space.