SpaceX is gearing up for its seventh test flight of the Starship, which will launch from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, and aims for a water landing in the Indian Ocean.

The FAA has granted clearance for this flight following successful engine tests of both the Super Heavy booster and the upper-stage Starship.

While a specific launch date has not yet been announced, the mission is expected to follow a similar profile to previous flights.

The recent license modification allows for multiple flights under the same conditions as Flight 7, including exceptions for certain non-critical failures that won't trigger mishap investigations.

These 'damage exceptions' cover five specific system failures, such as issues with the thermal shield and Raptor engine, provided public safety is maintained.

Successful recovery and reuse of both Starship and Super Heavy are crucial for SpaceX's ambitious goal of launching up to 25 times per year.

To achieve this, SpaceX plans to conduct 24 test launches in 2025, focusing on enhancing capabilities and developing in-space refueling technologies.

Elon Musk has indicated that only one more successful splashdown of Starship is needed before the company will attempt to catch both the Starship and the Super Heavy booster.

Flight 7 is tentatively scheduled for January 11, 2025, with NASA's Gulfstream V set to capture high-resolution imagery during the reentry.

The previous test flight, Flight 6, successfully landed in the Indian Ocean after a challenging reentry, carrying a payload of a plush banana.

Kelvin B. Coleman from the FAA has reiterated the agency's commitment to efficient licensing processes for commercial space travel.