US regulator greenlights Starship's next launch on Friday

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday authorized SpaceX to carry out its second launch of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, after a first attempt in April ended in a spectacular explosion.

In a statement, the FAA said Elon Musk’s company had now “met all safety, environmental, policy and financial responsibility requirements” following the mishap that marred the first orbital test flight of its next-generation spaceship.