SpaceX preparing for fourth test flight of Starship rocket, aiming to push boundaries

From CNBC: 2024-06-06 08:35:41

SpaceX is gearing up for a fourth test flight of its Starship rocket, aiming to surpass previous milestones. The launch window is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET in Texas. Starship will reach space, orbit Earth, reenter the atmosphere, and splash down in the Indian Ocean.

With three test flights under its belt, SpaceX aims to perfect its next-generation Starship spacecraft. Each test pushes boundaries, with the rocket flying the furthest in its latest flight, showcasing new capabilities like refueling in space.

SpaceX’s Starship system aims to revolutionize space travel, with full reusability for cargo and crew missions beyond Earth. The rocket is crucial to NASA’s Artemis moon program, and SpaceX is continually iterating on rocket design for future missions.

The upcoming fourth flight will focus on returning and reusing Starship, showcasing advancements in landing and control capabilities. SpaceX plans extensive testing of software and hardware updates to increase reliability for future missions.

Standing 397 feet tall, Starship is the tallest and most powerful rocket ever launched. The Super Heavy booster, with 33 Raptor engines producing 16.7 million pounds of thrust, kickstarts the rocket’s journey. With liquid oxygen and methane fuel, the system requires over 10 million pounds of propellant for launch.



Read more at CNBC: SpaceX Starship rocket launching fourth test spaceflight