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topicnews · October 10, 2024

The next “Starship” launch could be imminent – ​​SpaceX is planning a spectacular maneuver

The next “Starship” launch could be imminent – ​​SpaceX is planning a spectacular maneuver

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From: Tanya Banner

SpaceX’s “Starship” takes off, photographed during the fourth test flight in June 2024. (archive image) © IMAGO/SPACEX

The fifth launch of the giant rocket “Starship” could take place as early as mid-October, says SpaceX. But approval for the test flight is still missing.

Boca Chica – The giant rocket “Starship” could take off for the fifth time shortly. At least the work is SpaceX, the private space company owned by billionaire Elon Musk. The company will launch the approximately 121 meter high rocket on October 13th and test a new, spectacular maneuver for the first time. But it is still unclear whether SpaceX will receive approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in time.

SpaceX’s giant rocket “Starship” is set to take off for the fifth time

Preparations for the fifth planned launch are already in full swing at the launch site in Texas. In the last few weeks, SpaceX has stacked the “Starship” on the launch site – the giant rocket consists of the first rocket stage, called “Super Heavy”, and the spaceship sitting on top of it, called “Starship”. Both parts together are also called “Starship” and should both be reusable in the future. Fuel tests have also already been completed.

On the fifth rocket launch, SpaceX will recover the first rocket stage

For the fifth launch, SpaceX is planning something that the company has never done before: This time, the first rocket stage, the “Super Heavy,” should not fall into the sea as in previous attempts. Instead, it should return to Earth and be caught in the air by the so-called “chopstick” arms of the launch tower. This maneuver would be unique in space history and a big step towards the reusability of the rocket. At the same time, the spacecraft will land at a specific location in the Indian Ocean, according to SpaceX.

SpaceX is working hard towards the “Starship” launch – approval is still missing

But while SpaceX is working hard towards the launch, there are tensions with the FAA. The authority had previously repeatedly stated that the next flight test of the “Starship” would probably not take place until November. SpaceX is putting public pressure on the FAA to launch sooner. The US space organization NASA is also very interested in the launches of the “Starship” because it is planned that the spacecraft will land astronauts on the moon for the first time as part of the NASA mission “Artemis 3”. There are currently concerns at NASA as to whether the “Starship” will be ready on time.

On the left in this photo you can see the structure that is supposed to support the first stage of the “Starship”, the rocket called “Super Heavy”. (archive image)
On the left in this photo you can see the structure that is supposed to support the first stage of the “Starship”, the rocket called “Super Heavy”. (Archive image) © imago images/NurPhoto/Reginald Mathalone

How CNBC reported, nothing could stand in the way of a start on October 13th. A person familiar with the matter said the “aggressive-seeming target” was possible because an FAA review process was expedited. However, the date could also be delayed if new problems arise. In total, SpaceX has “at least nine” Starship flights planned for 2024. There probably won’t be that many anymore – also because FAA investigations mean there are always long pauses between the start seekers. SpaceX complains about this again and again. (Tab)

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