SpaceX approved for third Starship test flight
SpaceX has received the go-ahead for its upcoming third test flight of the massive Starship rocket, marking another milestone in the company's ambitious space exploration plans. Federal regulators have given the green light for SpaceX to proceed with this crucial test, showcasing the advancements in space technology and innovation.
Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter to stay updated on the latest news about fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements, and more.
SpaceX is gearing up for another flight of its massive Starship rocket, which is the most powerful launch vehicle ever built. Federal regulators have given approval for the company to proceed with a third test flight.
SpaceX could launch anytime within a 110-minute window starting at 7 a.m. CT (8 a.m. ET) on Thursday. A live stream of the event will start on the company's website 30 minutes before takeoff.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration, responsible for licensing commercial rocket launches, approved SpaceX's mission.
The FAA stated that SpaceX has fulfilled all safety, environmental, policy, and financial responsibility criteria.
This test flight follows two previous unsuccessful attempts in 2023 to achieve orbital speeds with the Starship vehicle, resulting in explosions and the spacecraft and booster catching fire before reaching their planned landing spots.
SpaceX believes that experiencing failures in the early stages of developing spacecraft can be beneficial as it allows them to make quick design improvements, resulting in better outcomes.
The success of Starship is crucial for SpaceX, as CEO Elon Musk has emphasized that the rocket plays a key role in the company's ultimate goal of sending humans to Mars for the very first time.
NASA has chosen the Starship spacecraft to land American astronauts on the moon for the first time in over fifty years as part of the Artemis program. This decision puts NASA in direct competition with China to establish a permanent lunar base and pave the way for settlements in deep space.
The US space agency has committed to investing up to $4 billion in the development of Starship. According to NASA's plan, Starship will be responsible for transporting astronauts from lunar orbit to the moon's surface during crewed missions. The first astronaut landing under the Artemis program is expected to take place in September 2026.
What success looks like for SpaceX
Musk has indicated that he believes Starship has a high chance of successfully completing this third test flight.
During a recent talk posted to social media, he mentioned that he believes the chances of reaching orbit are good at 80%. He expressed that the third flight is a significant improvement compared to the first two flights.
Before the last Starship test flight in November, Musk had stated that the vehicle had a 50% chance of success. Although the vehicle was not intended to orbit Earth, it was designed to achieve the high speeds necessary for future orbital missions. Starship reached speeds of about 24,000 kilometers per hour, or 15,000 miles per hour, while orbit typically requires at least 17,500 miles per hour.
People gathered to watch the SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft take off from the Boca Chica launchpad on an uncrewed test flight. The spacecraft was mounted on the powerful Super Heavy rocket. The event took place near Brownsville, Texas, and was captured from South Padre Island on November 18, 2023.
People watch as SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket lifts off from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on an uncrewed test flight, as seen from South Padre Island, near Brownsville, Texas, U.S. November 18, 2023. REUTERS/Go Nakamura TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Go Nakamura/Reuters
Related article
SpaceX's recent test flight showed significant progress from its first liftoff back in April 2023. During that initial launch, several of the rocket's main engines failed, causing the vehicle to spiral out of control over the Gulf of Mexico. To avoid any potential danger, SpaceX intentionally destroyed the rocket only four minutes after takeoff.
Despite the improvements seen in the November test flight, there is still a long journey ahead for SpaceX and its Starship program.
Starship reached a significant milestone in November by successfully igniting all its engines and completing stage separation. During this process, the Super Heavy rocket booster, which provides the initial burst of power at liftoff, detached from the upper Starship spacecraft. This allowed the vehicle to continue the mission independently. Unfortunately, Starship was destroyed about 10 minutes into the flight, cutting short what was supposed to be a mission lasting about an hour and a half.
SpaceX follows a unique approach to rocket development, focusing on speed. The company employs a method known as “rapid spiral development,” which involves quickly building prototypes and being willing to destroy them to gather insights for improving the next iteration. This method helps SpaceX learn and improve faster than if they relied solely on ground tests and simulations.
After the first and second Starship test flights ended in explosions, SpaceX quickly tried to spin these failures as positive outcomes. Following the November launch, the company stated that the key to success in such tests lies in the lessons learned. They emphasized that the insights gained from the test will be crucial in enhancing the reliability of Starship as SpaceX continues its mission to enable life on multiple planets.
Editor's P/S:
The journey of SpaceX's Starship rocket towards successful orbital flights is inspiring. Despite facing setbacks and explosions in previous test flights, the company's rapid spiral development approach allows them to learn and improve quickly. The upcoming third test flight holds promise, with an 80% chance of success according to Elon Musk. The potential of Starship is immense, as it could enable human missions to Mars and the moon.
Furthermore, the collaboration between SpaceX and NASA highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in space exploration. NASA's investment in Starship demonstrates the agency's commitment to returning humans to the moon and establishing a permanent lunar base. The success of Starship would pave the way for future missions to deep space and potentially set the stage for human settlements beyond Earth.
