FAA approves next three Starship test flights with prototype #15
Capitalism in space: In a statement today the FAA announced that it has approved next three test flights of SpaceX’s Starship prototype #15.
From the statement:
The FAA has authorized the next three launches or the SpaceX Starship prototype. The agency approved multiple launches because SpaceX is making few changes on the launch vehicle and relied on the FAA’s approved methodology to calculate the risk to the public. The FAA authorized the launches on Wednesday, April 28.
This likely means that SpaceX will try a flight tomorrow.
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Capitalism in space: In a statement today the FAA announced that it has approved next three test flights of SpaceX’s Starship prototype #15.
From the statement:
The FAA has authorized the next three launches or the SpaceX Starship prototype. The agency approved multiple launches because SpaceX is making few changes on the launch vehicle and relied on the FAA’s approved methodology to calculate the risk to the public. The FAA authorized the launches on Wednesday, April 28.
This likely means that SpaceX will try a flight tomorrow.
Readers!
My annual February birthday fund-raising drive for Behind the Black is now over. Thank you to everyone who donated or subscribed. While not a record-setter, the donations were more than sufficient and slightly above average.
As I have said many times before, I can’t express what it means to me to get such support, especially as no one is required to pay anything to read my work. Thank you all again!
For those readers who like my work here at Behind the Black and haven't contributed so far, please consider donating or subscribing. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
The tea leaves are mixed for launch:
Currently (midnight Central) weather in Boca Chica calls for thunderstorms and heavy rain through Sunday.
Highway 4 has a road closure secondary date of April 30 8 am to 5 pm Central
Mary (Boca Chica Gal) who lives in Boca Chica Village at ~ 6 pm April 29th said she had not yet received an evacuation notice. Cameron county generally frowns on notices with less than 24 hours lead time on notification. As warm weather approaches, Cameron County dislikes closing the one road to the beach on the weekends (but has done so in the past).
Elon is in a hurry but several people are predicting Monday most likely (Sunny and warm). We will see.
Per NasaSpaceFlight, the road is closed and the current forecast shows that the weather will likely improve throughout the day. NSF webcast is live, although SN15 is not likely to launch for hours yet today, if at all:
https://youtu.be/rXG7W7skekw
Closure cancelled. No flight today.
https://www.cameroncounty.us/spacex/