SpaceX has announced on its social network X (formerly Twitter) that it is preparing a third rocket for orbital testing of the Starship. The company is ready to launch by the end of February if the US Federal Aviation Administration issues a flight license.
The Super Heavy booster in the Booster 10 version and the next Starship prototype were transported to the spaceport in Texas on Saturday, February 10. Then the 50-meter Starship was placed on a 70-meter accelerator. Each stage of the work was carefully documented for the report.
In 2023, SpaceX made two attempts to launch the Starship prototype to orbital altitude: one in April and the other in November. Both of them ended with the explosions of accelerators and ships. In the first case, there was no separation of the first stage and the ship, and in the second case, each exploded separately.
Starship is the largest rocket ever built and it will take us to Mars. pic.twitter.com/0Vixo02kfm
– Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) February 11, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet drawn any conclusions from the second failed rocket launch. In principle, it was less unsuccessful than the first one, if that’s what you can say about a case with an accidental outcome. The rocket and ship stayed in the air for about 8 minutes, or almost twice as long as during the first flight. The separation of the first stage and the spacecraft was also successful, but it was the first time that the stage and the spacecraft were separated in hot mode – the spacecraft’s engines ignited before separation.
By assembling the rocket for new tests, SpaceX shows that it is ready for a new Starship launch into orbit. Elon Musk probably knows more than he’s willing to make public. It looks like the third launch of the complex will take place in the next few weeks.
