The giant Starship rocket from Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is ready for launch in South Texas. This was announced by company boss Elon Musk. At the end of the third week of April he would like to fly his vehicle in its entirety for the first time. It would be the largest rocket ever built by man. What is still missing is suitable weather and the take-off clearance from the aviation authority FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
In January, SpaceX successfully refueled the Starship for the first time. A little later, Musk announced a launch attempt in March, which did not work out. But now it shouldn’t be long before the vehicle, which is around 120 meters high, takes off. The aim of the development is a spaceship that can be reused very quickly and can fly up to three times a day or 1000 times a year. One of these spaceships is said to be able to carry 150 tons of cargo into space and 50 tons of cargo to earth.
Musk believes his Starships are the “fastest route to a self-sustaining city on Mars.” The billionaire even thinks that trips to more distant planets are possible. Musk originally announced first flights with people on board for 2020, which has proven to be overly optimistic.
Previous test flights without boosters
After two short hops of the SN5 and SN6 prototypes at an altitude of around 150 meters, the first real test flight took place in December 2020. At that time, the Starship SN8 flew less than seven minutes. But then the SpaceX Starship burst upon landing. In February 2021, the Starship crashed again on landing, it was SN9. Starship SN10 was crooked when it landed in early March 2021 before exploding spectacularly. At the end of March 2021, the Starship SN11 was followed by the next explosion, after which the company decided to make improvements to the design. In May 2021, Starship SN15 actually managed a “nominal landing”.
Now SN24, equipped for the first time with the “Super Heavy” booster, is to make it into orbit. The booster is the first stage and has no less than 33 thrusters. If all goes according to plan, Super Heavy will be separated about two minutes after launch and “gently” washed up in the Gulf of Mexico. The upper stage with six rocket engines is to orbit the earth and about one and a half hours after the start in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii also “softly splashes down”.
In the long term, Musk plans to use both single-use and reusable Starships. From where the regular starts will take place is open. The location in Boca Chica, Texas, desired by Musk and used so far, is controversial because it is right next to a nature reserve. Unfortunately, the many engines of the Starship make a tremendous noise.
(Bild: Airbus DS 2023)
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