Starship, SpaceX’s colossal prototype rocket potentially destined for human travel to Mars, is scheduled for its next flight on Thursday.
This will be the fourth test of the most powerful launch system ever constructed, crucial to NASA’s aspirations of landing astronauts on the Moon later this decade, and central to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s vision of eventually colonising the Red Planet.
A two-hour launch window from the company’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas opens at 7:00 AM local time (1200 GMT). Weather conditions appear favourable, and the Federal Aviation Administration has given its approval, according to AFP.
The previous three attempts have resulted in Starship’s explosive destruction, which the company considers an acceptable part of its rapid trial-and-error development strategy.
“The fourth flight test shifts our focus from achieving orbit to demonstrating the capability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy,” SpaceX stated.
Super Heavy is the booster, while Starship refers to both the upper stage and the combination of the two stages.
The flight path will be similar to the third test, conducted in March, during which Starship flew halfway around the world before being lost during re-entry over the Indian Ocean, 49 minutes into the mission.
