CNN —Federal regulators granted SpaceX its long-awaited license to move forward with a fifth uncrewed test launch of Starship, the most powerful rocket system ever constructed. The FAA had been expected to hand down a license for this test launch weeks ago. SpaceX has also publicly denied reports that the company violated wastewater regulations with the deluge system, which SpaceX says uses potable water. Notably, the company launched a 2020 test flight of a prototype rocket, called Starship SN8, without obtaining prior approval from the FAA for a public safety waiver. At one point in 2023, for example, he said that he did not blame the FAA for holding up Starship launches.

---

Persons: “, Artemis, Elon Musk, ”, Mike Whitaker, Whitaker, SpaceX’s, ” Whitaker, Patrick T, Fallon, SpaceX, didn’t, Biden, Donald Trump —, Whitaker “, ” Musk, Jose Luis Magana, Kevin Kiley, they’re Organizations: CNN, SpaceX, US Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, FAA, ”, Super, Getty, Texas Commission, Environmental, Environmental Protection Agency, Committee, Transportation, Aviation, US, Infrastructure, Republican Locations: Boca Chica , Texas, Texas, AFP, California