Starship Flight 3 (IFT-3) date falls on SpaceX’s 22nd foundation anniversary, FAA approves the launch

-

-Advertisement-

According to Elon Musk, SpaceX will attempt to fly the Starship for the 3rd time from Starbase, Texas in a few hours (around 7:00 AM CT if weather permits).

Starship 28 (S28) and Booster 10 (B10) prototypes are currently stacked at the launch site for the Flight 3 orbital launch aka IFT-3 (Integrated Flight Test 3).

Either coincidentally or intentionally, the Starship IFT-3 launch has fallen on SpaceX’s 22nd foundation anniversary. Elon Musk’s space exploration company was founded on 14th March 2002. I remember those days, as I was learning web design at the time and the SpaceX website was inspirational.

– Advertisement –
Fully integrated Starship (Ship 28 + B10) seen behind the SpaceX logo at Starbase, Texas a day before Flight 3 orbital launch attempt (IFT-3).
Fully integrated Starship (Ship 28 + B10) seen behind the SpaceX logo at Starbase, Texas a day before Flight 3 orbital launch attempt (IFT-3). Credit: SpaceX via X (Twitter).

Update: Watch the Live Stream of the Starship Flight 3 and live updates from Starbase

In an earlier tweet, Musk said that the launch might extend to the end of the week because of unfavorable weather conditions. However, a few hours ago he re-posted on X (Twitter) that the launch will be attempted today (14th March 2024).

Simultaneously, I received an email from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) media relations department that the authority has renewed the SpaceX license to carry on with the Starship Flight 3 (IFT-3) attempt. The FAA email stated:

SpaceX applied to modify its existing vehicle operator license for the Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle from its Cameron County, TX site. After completing an evaluation of all applicable Vehicle Operator License requirements, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a modification to the Vehicle Operator License for SpaceX launches of the Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program in Cameron County, TX on March 13, 2024. The modification authorizes the third flight of Starship/Super Heavy.

Screenshot of the FAA SpaceX Starship Flight 3 (IFT-3) license document.
Screenshot of the FAA SpaceX Starship Flight 3 (IFT-3) license document. Source: FAA website (PDF).
– Advertisement –

Since SpaceX has received the final regulatory approval for Starship Flight 3, bad weather remains the only hurdle in the way of the IFT-3 launch attempt.

If the weather conditions are not satisfactory for a launch on 14th March (Thursday), the FAA has given SpaceX backup launch windows for the next 4 days. SpaceX can also attempt a launch on the 15th (Friday), 16th (Saturday), 17th (Sunday), or 18th March (Monday).

The list of Starship Flight 3 (IFT-3) launch windows by the FAA.
Screenshot: The list of Starship Flight 3 (IFT-3) launch windows by the FAA. Source: FAA Operation Plan Advisory web page.

SpaceX will livestream the Starship IFT-3 orbital launch from the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) at Starbase, Boca Chica Texas on its website (possibly a YouTube version) and on Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

We will also be adding a live stream page if SpaceX decides to stream it live on YouTube. So, stay tuned for more updates as the historic day unfolds.

Elon Musk has been positive that with thousands of upgrades over Flight 2 Starship, the newer and improved version is likely going to reach orbit.

Starship 28 (2nd/upper stage/S28) mounted on Super Heavy Booster 10 (1st stage/B10) on the OLM at SpaceX Starbase  — ready for Flight 3 (IFT-3) orbital launch test.
Starship 28 (2nd/upper stage/S28) mounted on Super Heavy Booster 10 (1st stage/B10) on the OLM at SpaceX Starbase — ready for Flight 3 (IFT-3) orbital launch test. Credit: SpaceX via X (Twitter).
– Advertisement –

Stay tuned for future updates on Starship and SpaceX, Follow us on:

Google News | X (Twitter) | Flipboard | WhatsApp ChannelRSS (Feedly).

Related

Iqtidar Ali
Iqtidar Alihttp://www.teslaoracle.com
Author of more than 1500 articles on Tesla, SpaceX, and EVs. His work has been liked and tweeted by Elon Musk and other prominent influencers. You can reach him on Twitter @IqtidarAlii

Latest News

Tesla Cybercabs spotted loading from Giga Texas for deliveries to US testing destinations

The drone footage of Tesla's Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, provides new insight into the production and delivery status of...

Starship Flight 12: SpaceX to test Raptor 3 engines on the V3 Booster 19 for the first time

Earlier this morning, Elon Musk's SpaceX shared an update on the development progress and further plans in preparation for...

Tesla Semi seen after winter testing, factory completion soon, first Megacharger opens in LA

Tesla (TSLA) has shared multiple updates for its Semi-truck program at a time when its share price is down...

Watch Elon Musk fool the media with a decoy car as he arrives at the court for the Twitter trial

An interesting video clip of Tesla and SpaceX CEO, owner of X (formerly Twitter), and the world's richest person,...
- Advertisement -

Stay tuned with the updates in your Inbox

Get the latest Tesla FSD, Software Updates, Starship News in Your inbox.

By hitting the Subscribe button you agree to receiving email communications from TeslaOracle.com.
We don't email everyday. Frequency will be weekly at max.

Starship Flight 12: SpaceX to test Raptor 3 engines on the V3 Booster 19 for the first time

Earlier this morning, Elon Musk's SpaceX shared an update on the development progress and further plans in preparation for...

Flight 12 Starship V3 (Ship 39) survives three cryo tests (videos)

Elon Musk's SpaceX is steadily moving towards the Flight 12 Starship test (IFT-12) at Starbase, Texas. Last week, the...

SpaceX prepares for Flight 12 Starship prelaunch testing, the first V3 Starship 39 (Starbase updates)

Yesterday, Elon Musk's space exploration and astronautics company SpaceX transported its next-generation first Starship V3 (Ship 39) from the...

Tesla Tips & Tricks

Here’s how to get around the Tesla Robotaxi pickup location bug

Early Access riders of the Tesla Robotaxi in Austin,...

Calculating Tesla Model 3 range loss through a cold winter night (video)

As the holiday season is nearing, cold weather is...

SpaceX enthusiast designs a 1:110 scale LEGO Starship

A NASA/SpaceX enthusiast who goes by the name of...

Tesla Quarterly Reports & Eearnings

Tesla Q4 2025: Financial Results, Key Takeaways from Elon Musk’s Earnings Call, more

The Tesla (TSLA) Q4 2025 Earnings Call was important...

Tesla Q3 2025: Financial updates and key takeaways from the earnings call

Tesla (TSLA) released its Q3 2025 financial results and...

Stay tuned with the updates in your Inbox

Get the latest Tesla FSD, Software Updates, Starship News in Your inbox.

By hitting the Subscribe button you agree to receiving email communications from TeslaOracle.com.
We don't email everyday. Frequency will be weekly at max.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended for You