As SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft continues to make progress in its development, the company’s boss, Elon Musk, has given an update on the rocket’s next test flight. According to Musk, the Starship is likely to take its fourth test flight in June, with the flight window ranging from three to five weeks. This would mark a significant milestone for the Starship program, which has had a rocky start with its first three test flights ending in failure.
The Starship, which stands at 120 meters tall, is a massive rocket that comprises the first-stage Super Heavy booster and upper-stage Starship spacecraft. The rocket has flown three times to date, with all missions launching from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The most recent test flight in March was the most successful to date, lasting just over 49 minutes and achieving many of its mission goals.
However, before the Starship can go on its fourth test flight, SpaceX needs to obtain a launch permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The agency has yet to complete its investigation into the third flight, which ended in an emergency landing due to a pressure valve issue. Once the FAA gives the green light, the Starship will be cleared for its next test flight.
Elon Musk (Via Elon Musk/Twitter)
When fully tested, the Starship is expected to play a key role in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon by 2026. As part of the program, SpaceX will use a modified version of the Starship spacecraft to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface. Musk has also stressed that the Starship could be used to transport the first humans to Mars in the 2030s.
In other news, the FAA has announced plans to conduct an environmental review for proposed Starship launches from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The review will examine any potential harm that the rocket might cause in or around the Space Coast facility. If approved, the Kennedy Space Center would provide SpaceX with a second location for Starship launches, relieving some of the pressure on the Texas facility.
The Starship’s development has been marked by challenges and setbacks, but with each test flight, the rocket gets closer to achieving its goals. If the fourth test flight is successful, it could mark a significant turning point for the Starship program, paving the way for further development and ultimately, human missions to the moon and beyond.
