WASHINGTON (Michigan News Source) – After the latest test of the SpaceX Starship Orbital Boosters, the company plans to proceed with the first orbital launch attempt by the end of March according to officials. 

Both the Super Heavy booster and its launch pad were in good shape after a test in early February according to Senior Advisor for National Security Space Solutions at SpaceX Gary Henry. 

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“We had a successful hot fire, and that was really the last box to check,” he said. “The vehicle is in good shape. The pad is in good shape.”

The Starship craft which is composed of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, are unique in that it’s goal is to serve as a “fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond,” according to SpaceX.  It would also be considered the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry up to 150 metric tonnes to Earth orbit reusable, and up to 250 metric tonnes expendable, the company stated. 

While only 31 of the 33 Raptor engines in the Super Heavy booster fired, Henry suggested that SpaceX was not planning a second static-fire test before an orbital launch attempt. 

If no more tests are performed, then the only thing halting a launch attempt would be the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch license ahead of time.  As of the summer, the FAA announced more than 75 actions for SpaceX to take to mitigate environmental impact ahead of future launches. 

“The actions are part of the agency’s environmental review. The environmental review must be completed along with public safety, national security, and other analyses before a decision on whether to grant a launch license can be made. The license application is still pending,” the FAA said in a statement.  

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Also while speaking on the panel at the Space Mobility conference, Henry advocated that Starship will sharply drive down launch costs according to SpaceNews. 

“We are on the cusp of seeing an opportunity of mass to orbit go from $2,000 a kilogram to $200 a kilogram,” he said.

In the long term, costs could further decline to the point where the propellant is the largest factor in the per-launch marginal cost.  He further suggested that if Elon Musk had a say, the cost would be $20 per kilogram. 

The FAA has also proposed a $175,00 civil penalty against SpaceX for failing to submit launch collision analysis trajectory data directly to the FAA prior to the August 19, 2022 launch of the Starlink Group 4-27 mission.  SpaceX has 30 days to respond to the agency after receiving the agency’s enforcement letter according to the FAA on Feb. 17.