SpaceX, the aerospace company, has announced preparations for the next test launch of the Starship rocket system, following the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States.
The Super Heavy rocket carrying the Starship spacecraft departing the launch pad at Boca Chica, Texas, during its second test launch on November 18, 2023. (Archive photo: AFP/TTXVN).
This will be the fourth test launch for the most powerful rocket system ever built – with the potential to send humans to Mars, as well as supporting NASA’s ambition to land astronauts on the Moon by the end of this decade.
According to the plan, Starship is set to launch at 7 AM on June 6 (local time) from Boca Chica, Texas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable.
In a statement, SpaceX indicated that this test shifts the company’s focus from achieving orbit to the ability to return to Earth and the reusability of both Starship and the Super Heavy booster.
SpaceX conducted its third Starship test launch earlier this March. During that test, Starship completed a half-orbit around Earth and lost contact upon re-entering the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean after 49 minutes of the mission.
The flight path for the fourth launch will be similar to that of the third launch. However, SpaceX noted that they have implemented several software and hardware upgrades to facilitate a smooth landing of the booster stage and to ensure proper orbital insertion of the upper stage.
Standing at 121 meters tall, Starship is designed for full reusability. The Super Heavy booster can generate 16.7 million pounds of thrust (74.3 Meganewtons), nearly double that of NASA’s second most powerful rocket.
