SpaceX is preparing to launch the fifth flight of its Starship megarocket as soon as Oct. 13, despite repeated statements from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the flight test would likely have to wait until November.
Starship last flew in June, and SpaceX nailed its launch objectives by returning the rocket to Earth as well as soft landing both Starship and its Super Heavy first-stage booster at sea. Now, SpaceX wants to attempt the first-ever return of Super Heavy to the launch pad — complete with a mid-air booster catch conducted by the launch tower's "chopstick" arms.
