BOCA CHICA BEACH — SpaceX is in the final countdown for the fourth flight of its giant Starship, a test that aims to bring both stages of the mega rocket back to Earth for the first time.

The launch could occur as early as 7 a.m. from the commercial space company’s Starbase at Boca Chica Beach.

The Federal Aviation Administration granted SpaceX’s launch license Tuesday and people from around the world are streaming into the Rio Grande Valley to witness the flight. It will also be livestreamed by SpaceX on its website and via social media.

The uncrewed spacecraft is set to fly a similar path as on its previous mission, which, while the company’s most successful yet, ended with the loss of both the Super Heavy booster and upper-stage Starship. Each Starship has made it farther and accomplished more objectives than previous tests before failing, either by blowing up or disintegrating in the atmosphere.

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SpaceX’s focus for this flight is demonstrating the ability to return and reuse both stages.

“The primary objectives will be executing a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico with the Super Heavy booster, and achieving a controlled entry of Starship,” the company said in a statement.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said Starship represents the future of the company’s satellite launch, astronaut, military contract and other businesses. It is due to be used by NASA in the next few years to land astronauts on the moon for the first time since 1972.

The first Starship launch was in April 2023. The rocket obliterated its launch pad, hurling chunks of concrete and metal into the surrounding wetlands, touching off wildfires and kicking up a plume of sand and pulverized concrete that rained down on residents 6 miles away. The rocket exploded just minutes after liftoff at an altitude of about 25 miles.

During the next attempt in November, the rocket’s stages successfully separated and Starship reached space for the first time but exploded soon after.

In its third flight in March, Starship made it much farther but broke apart in Earth’s atmosphere as it attempted to return from space halfway around the globe.

On Wednesday evening at Starbase, preparation work for the fourth launch churned on amid increasing traffic and visits to the beach where the 400-foot-tall rocket stood on its launch platform. 

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Visitors to Starbase now pass a new three story-tall mural depicting Musk emblazoned with the words “Ad Astra” hovering above him. The Latin phrase means “to the stars.”

The artwork was created by a French tech entrepreneur who asked to be identified as “Louis.” He said he came to the U.S. a month ago with a vision to create a Musk mural based on a meme of the tech mogul. 

“So, this was a funny way to give a tribute to Elon,” he said. 

Further along Texas 4 at the SpaceX production facility, a new $100 million Starfactory and new parking garage appear nearly complete. At least six sections of the new launch tower that will stand next to the current one are lined up in a parking lot awaiting installation.  At the launch site, workers have taken down the recently installed “Gateway to Mars” sign to make space to build the new launch tower. 

Closer to the beach, people wandered along the path across the dunes to the flats next to the launch pad.

One couple sat in their lawn chairs at the perimeter line SpaceX uses to keep people from wandering too close. 

Nearby, a father and his two daughters from San Antonio looked up at the Starship as it was being prepared for flight.

“We have just been completely just amazed with what SpaceX has done,” said Peter Van Delden. “It’s been so fascinating to see the transition over the years and then you’re just unbelievably fortunate to have Boca Chica as the base of Starbase.”

SpaceX said the launch window for Thursday's flight will open at 7 a.m. If that one doesn’t work out, it could go at the same time either Friday or Saturday.

The event will be livestreamed on the SpaceX website and on X @spacex beginning at 6:30 a.m.