STARSHIP IFT-9, May 27, 2025, Starbase, TX, 7:30 pm ET (webcast)

SpaceX is getting ready for the 9th Integrated Flight Test, IFT-9, of the Super Heavy/Starship system from its facilities at Starbase, TX as early as May 27, 2025. The launch window opens at 6:30 pm CENTRAL Time (7:30 pm Eastern) that day, but SpaceX notes that “as with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change.”

More information is on SpaceX’s website. Check that site and @SpaceX on X for up to date information.

SpaceX will webcast the launch starting 30 minutes before liftoff.

The FAA approved SpaceX’s license for this flight on May 22.   The text is as follows:

May 22, 2025

FAA Approves SpaceX Starship Vehicle Return to Flight

The FAA conducted a comprehensive safety review of the SpaceX Starship Flight 8 mishap and determined that the company has satisfactorily addressed the causes of the mishap, and therefore, the Starship vehicle can return to flight. The FAA will verify SpaceX implements all corrective actions.

The FAA’s determination of when a vehicle involved in a mishap can resume operations is based on public safety. When making this determination, the FAA considers several factors, including but not limited to, the nature of the mishap, the performance of vehicles safety-critical systems, and the generation of unplanned debris. Prior to making a return to flight determination, the FAA must find that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety or any other aspect of the operator’s license.

With the Starship vehicle return to flight determination, Starship Flight 9 is authorized for launch. The FAA finds SpaceX meets all of the rigorous safety, environmental and other licensing requirements.

Additional Safety Information on Starship Flight 9

The FAA is in close contact and collaboration with the United Kingdom, Turks & Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Mexico, and Cuba as the agency continues to monitor SpaceX’s compliance with all public safety and other regulatory requirements.

For Starship Flight 9, the FAA issued two comprehensive environmental assessments, one modifying the SpaceX license to allow up to 25 Starship/Super Heavy launches per year from Texas and one updating airspace closures. Both found no significant safety or environmental impacts.

SpaceX is required to update its Flight Safety Analysis to account for all outcomes of previously flown flights including mishap events and to calculate and establish hazards areas. The flight safety analysis includes population exposure risk (regardless of where that population is located on the flight path), the probability of failure of the vehicle, and debris propagation and behavior, among other considerations. The FAA uses this and other data to determine and implement measures to mitigate public risk.

The FAA is expanding the size of hazard areas both in the U.S. and other countries based on the updated flight safety analysis and because SpaceX intends to reuse a previously launched Super Heavy booster rocket for the first time.

The Aircraft Hazard Area (AHA) for Flight 9 covers approximately 1,600 nautical miles and extends eastward from the Starbase, Texas, launch site through the Straits of Florida, including the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands. For Flight 8, the AHA covered approximately 885 nautical miles. To minimize disruption to U.S. and international airspace users, the FAA required the launch window to be scheduled during non-peak transit periods.

SpaceX is responsible for the operation of its vehicle, including in the event of a mishap. The FAA requires SpaceX to maintain liability insurance in the amount of $500 million to cover claims resulting from the launch and flight of the Starship Flight 9 mission.