FAA issues travel advisory for Boca Chica for April 10, 2023 Starship launch
Though the FAA has not yet issued the launch license to SpaceX, allowing it to do the first orbital launch test of its Superheavy/Starship rocket, the agency today did issue a travel advisory for the Boca Chica area for April 10-11, 2023, in connection with this launch.
The FAA advisory is here. Scroll down to see the space activities section, which includes this information:
SPACEX STARSHIP SUPERHEAVY BOCA CHICA, TX
PRIMARY: 04/10/23 1310-1745Z
BACKUP(S): 04/11-12/23 1310-1745Z
Based on this information, we should expect the FAA launch license to be publicly announced any moment.
Hat tip BtB’s stringer Jay, who trolls Twitter so I don’t have to.
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Though the FAA has not yet issued the launch license to SpaceX, allowing it to do the first orbital launch test of its Superheavy/Starship rocket, the agency today did issue a travel advisory for the Boca Chica area for April 10-11, 2023, in connection with this launch.
The FAA advisory is here. Scroll down to see the space activities section, which includes this information:
SPACEX STARSHIP SUPERHEAVY BOCA CHICA, TX
PRIMARY: 04/10/23 1310-1745Z
BACKUP(S): 04/11-12/23 1310-1745Z
Based on this information, we should expect the FAA launch license to be publicly announced any moment.
Hat tip BtB’s stringer Jay, who trolls Twitter so I don’t have to.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
There is a rumour going around that as soon as the FAA gives the launch license there is a Civil Suit looking to halt the launch on environmental grounds.
We shall see. Miss Passover is all I ask Apr 10-11 is good. right now. I want to watch live!
It was reported by NASA Space Flight in a recent video update on Starship that there has been a Notice to Mariners issued for around the Hawaiian islands for April 6-10 as well.
Related: Eric Berger just tweeted this out:
“For what it’s worth SpaceX has told NASA it is targeting April 10, with backup days on April 11 and 12, for the Starship Orbital Flight Test. None of this is official without a launch license and the usual caveats apply. Who knew that wen hop applied to more than Easter bunnies?”
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1643363784017453057
Eric has some very good sources. That said, his caveats all apply, too.
That said, if there is a scrub, there could well be a significant delay in the next attempt, according to Zack Golden, whose RGV Aerial team has been watching Starbase activity like hawks: “In the event of a scrubbed launch attempt for the first Starship Orbital Flight Test, it will take at least 3 days to top off the Orbital Tank Farm. This is based on the number of tankers needed to refill the storage tanks after the Wet Dress Rehearsal.” Berger grilled him a bit on that. Zack clarified: “Our team has been tracking the number of offloads to the tank farm for about 9 months. They have documented the patterns after each testing event. This is an estimation based on post WDR deliveries, and the maximum number of offloads that have been recorded in a 24 hour span.”
https://twitter.com/CSI_Starbase/status/1643378541042495488
Take it for what it’s worth: a cautionary note, at least.
But first, let’s see that FAA license!
WaPo’s Christian Davenport hearing the same thing:
“For the SpaceX Starship launch attempt, 4/10 is possible, I’m told. The FAA safety evaluation is complete, the legal review is underway but there is an environmental issue to close out. That may or may not get resolved by Monday but it sounds like the license is almost there.”
https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1643369980270919680
This may make Bob’s blood a little, though.
With Trump being roasted, the powers that be are happy to let this slide. I could see a few boxes of tacks and downed wires slowing the usual suspects’ ESG suits until after the launch. Severe weather and all blowing things around-you see. Elon needs night vision to watch for same.
I want t o send all Liberal Democrats to the Ice Planet of Hoth and meet a Wampa
I’m going for 4/12
Gagarin, Columbia.
Could it be that the FAA is now on the side of SpaceX. … and is coordinating with SpaceX to publish the launch license so close to liftoff that the Forces of Lawfare don’t attain standing and can’t move fast enough to stop it?
Hey, a guy can dream …
Trying with my son, to divine what we do. We got tickets for 1st OFT at Rocket Ranch Outpost.
Eric Berger says he has sources (he won’t name) say that April 10-12 window is GONE.
Yet NASA WB-57 out of JSC is still held as placeholder.
Go or don’t go on Sunday??? Mike says 4/12
Any thoughts Robert or Commentators?
Doubting Thomas: I wish I could give you some advice, but predicting the date of this launch is impossible. Even if you go and stay for a week there is no guarantee that is when it will happen.
I’ll let you guys know what I do and assuming that I get there to see it, I’ll give you my impressions as a guy that has seen Saturn V, Titan IIIC, Space Shuttle, Falcon Heavy close up (w/in 5 miles).
Yeah, we may only know with any certainty just a few days before, if that.
Right now, the launch date seems to be (tentatively, I emphasize) April 17.
But it does look like April 10 will end up being a wet dress rehearsal instead. I am unsure if that justifies a drive down there to spectate.
Currently, weather for the Southern tip of TX is looking rough for 4/10.
If I up and disappeared to TX for a week, right before Easter, my wife would kill me.
Still the temptation is there…
SpaceX just posted on Twitter Feed:
SpaceX @SpaceX 2h
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.
My son and I are moving all our arrangements to Sunday the 16th of April.
Sippin….maybe you can make Easter at home, not be killed by your wife and still come to TX to watch launch.
If you haven’t seen it yet, Tim Dodd, Everyday Astronaut, has some tourist and travel tips for going to Starbase:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWvHrih-Juk (1/2 hour)
Tim Dodd’s piece is great. The better of the two “Touring Starbase” features he has done.