Possible Starship launch window revealed in FAA operation plan advisory

BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Federal Aviatiation Administration's operation plan advisory includes a possible launch window for SpaceX's third test flight of Starship.

The advisory lists a primary date of Thursday, March 14, with the time 12:00Z-14:13Z (7 a.m. to 9:13 a.m. central).

The plan also includes backup dates for the following four days, with the window closing at 8:01 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday before increasing to 9:13 a.m. again on Monday.

The launch is still pending a license approval from the FAA, as of Tuesday morning. The third launch will take place weeks after the FAA closed its investigation into Starship's second test flight. Through the investigation, the FAA documented 17 corrective actions that needed to be addressed before the third test flight.

“Upgrades derived from the flight test will debut on the next Starship and Super Heavy vehicles to launch from Starbase on Flight 3,” SpaceX stated in an X post on Feb. 26.

The third test flight is expected to introduce a new trajectory, with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

“This new flight path enables us to attempt new techniques like in-space engine burns while maximizing public safety,” SpaceX stated.

ValleyCentral will provide updates as the launch windows nears, as well as a livestream of the launch.