2024-03-12 05:46:26
All good things come in threes: Next Thursday, SpaceX wants to test its monster rocket Starship again. The company is planning some maneuvers.
Last year, two launches of the world’s largest rocket failed. Next Thursday, SpaceX wants to ignite its giant spaceship Starship for the third time, as the US space company announces – approval from the US aviation regulator is still pending.
If the launch is approved, SpaceX plans to perform a series of maneuvers during Starship’s third flight test. Among other things, the company wants to test opening and closing the payload doors in orbit.
SpaceX also wants to re-ignite the giant rocket’s engine in space and allow the spacecraft to enter the Earth’s atmosphere in a controlled manner. The company writes that the crash in the Indian Ocean was planned due to a changed flight route.
SpaceX: Public safety is not at risk
The company emphasizes that the flight route makes it possible to complete the tests without endangering public safety. During the first test of the rocket in April last year, numerous debris was spread over hundreds of square kilometers over the launch area after it exploded.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) then opened an investigation into the incident and asked SpaceX to make improvements to its Starship rocket and the launch pad.
Starship will eventually fly to the Moon and Mars
Starship consists of an approximately 70 meter long Super Heavy booster and an approximately 50 meter long upper stage, also called Starship. The spacecraft is intended to enable manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Starship system is designed so that the spacecraft and rocket can be reused after returning to Earth. The system, which is around 120 meters long in total, should be able to transport well over 100 tons of cargo.
SpaceX has announced a live broadcast of the third Starship test for next Thursday. The company wants further information about this via its X account @SpaceX communicate.