SpaceX's Starship rocket ready for third test flight

SpaceX's Starship is back on the launch pad.

Here's What We Know

The rocket, made up of the first stage of the Super Heavy Booster and the upper stage of the Starship spacecraft, is mounted on a super-heavy rocket booster and is ready for launch.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk shared photos of the assembled Starship on social media.

SpaceX plans to launch this 120-metre-long Starship on its next test flight on 14 March. However, a successful launch depends on obtaining permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has not yet been granted.

The previous two Starship test flights failed due to an explosion of the spacecraft, but during the last launch in November, Starship successfully separated from Super Heavy. This time, the team intends to launch the spacecraft into orbit.

Starship stacked for flight pic.twitter.com/ELpadHrlHz

- SpaceX (@SpaceX) 12 March 2024

SpaceX has identified a series of targets for this test flight, including the first-ever re-illumination of the Raptor engine in space and a controlled return of the Starship. If successful, these actions will mark an important step in the development of space travel, in particular within the framework of NASA's Artemis programme to transport crew to the Moon.

Starship will be used in the future for space missions such as transportation to the Moon and Mars, as well as for space tourism.

Source: Digital Trends