Previously failed test flights resulted in Starship debris raining down over Turks and Caicos and parts of the Bahamas. Although SpaceX has said the debris has been limited to pre-planned Debris Response Areas, on multiple occasions the FAA has briefly slowed and diverted flights, and initiated full ground stops at several Florida airports.

This next flight marks a critical moment for SpaceX as the Elon Musk-led company attempts to get its Starship program back on track.

Federal regulators gave SpaceX the green light for another test flight of Starship, the most powerful launch vehicle ever constructed, after mishaps earlier this year rained debris near populated islands.