We Now Know Exactly What’s Delaying SpaceX's Starship Flight 5

Earlier this morning SpaceX released a full update on Starship multiple pages long, which included some significant claims against certain agencies delaying the IFT-5 launch. In reality, the Flight 5 upper stage and Super Heavy booster have been ready to launch since August.

The company also revealed that a previously communicated launch license from the FAA for mid-September has now been changed to late November at the earliest. If that wasn’t enough, a lot of the public comment periods surrounding these delays can continually be extended if necessary. Here I will go more in-depth into the entire update, the next steps, Starship’s timeline, and more.

Credit:

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - "indefinitely delay launch"

[NoResultFound]

Forcing spaceX to get a new permit which literally has nothing to do with their operations and changes nothing, is absurd. Bureaucracy at its finest.

[thomasbelmont]

They should sue the FAA/EPA for these frivolous delays. Not only does it waste time, I can’t imagine how much money that costs SpaceX in salaries.

[lanzer]

So.... every other rocket companies get to drop their rockets into the ocean, and that's okay by the FAA, but not for superheavy. Then there was concern over sonic booms and somehow 2 months is all it takes to know if that's really an issue or not, because all other studies done before today is not being considered. Got it.

[OneLeggedDiver]

imagine the damning effect the FAA will have when things ramp up even MORE at spaceX. They need to streamline this process ten-fold

[lyricbread]

If I were SpaceX, I’d tell them all to get their shit in check or find someone else to launch Crew 9, bring Butch and Suni home, and launch the government’s payloads. Oh that’s right, there isn’t anyone else!

[RushimaV]

100% related to politics, this kind of issue doesn't happen to others. SpaceX has a lot of enemies and competitors.

[TheGg]

Unless government agencies can list exact reasons for delaying rocket launches, they should NOT be ALLOWED to delay them!
Let's make sure there aren't political reasons causing the delay!

[CRod]

I am no fan or have any loyalty towards any single space company, but even I can see this is counterproductive. Like it or not NASA, and by extension the rest of the US Government, has tied itself intricately with SpaceX. There are vital parts of the Artemis Program that rely on the success of Starship. It must be brought to full production as soon as possible

[vmoutsop]

OMG, the paper work and administration has turned the US Gov't into a parody of the Vogon's from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The joke has become reality.

[TrevorAvrett]

Are Blue Origin and Boeing pulling strings behind these delays? -is my question

[unfundedopportunities]

Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Boeing wouldn't have to deal with this crap.
Boeing didn't even need to perform an in-flight abort test of Starliner.

[KiloOneThree]

Man-made sonic boom vs natures heavy thunder. Would wildlife or people really notice a difference that would cause a significant impact? I think not!

[jroar]

The PH of the water around the launch pad after a launch remains at 7. Noise from sonic booms is no higher desables than thunder. Landing in the ocean (or gulf) has no impact on marine wildlife or pollutants in the water. The only medical study should be on those who keep trying to delay SpaceX. Their mental sickness does need to be addressed but it shouldn't have any impact on SpaceX StarShip Launches.

[mercerconsulting]

This is not only absurd, but smells of petty politics and is very counterproductive.

[jonmarquez]

It's going to be bad if China beats us to the Moon or Mars

[Mako]

Politics. If Elon Nusk voted for the "right" party the licenses would magically appear in SpaceX.

[Jeffery-mkfg]

When Mr musk stated he supported Mr Trump is When this BS started

[robb]

this is political and also interference from competitors

[SilverCloudMusic]

"Buch and Sunny can take the Soyuz back!" that's all SpaceX needs to say.

[PDQkevin]

If you don’t think that the FAA’s slowdown of SpaceX operations isn’t because of Elon’s recent political opinions then I have to wonder if you can think.