Federal Aviation Administration approves SpaceX Starship 5 flight

A security guard monitors the entrance as SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket is prepared for a third launch from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on an uncrewed test flight, near Brownsville, Texas, U.S. March 13, 2024. (REUTERS/Cheney Orr)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration approved a license on Saturday for the launch of SpaceX's Starship 5 set for as early as Sunday.

Reuters first reported earlier this week the faster than expected timetable after the FAA in September had said it did not expect a determination on a license before late November.

The FAA said on Saturday SpaceX has "met all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements for the suborbital test flight" for the fifth test of the Starship and has also approved the Starship 6 mission profile.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Sandra Maler)