SpaceX is ready. All tests for the next Starship launch have been completed. We’re just waiting for approval from the FAA. If the approval arrives in time, the giant rocket could already be on Sunday October 13th set off for the next test flight.
The spectacular launch of the Starship is scheduled to take place on the 5th flight more spectacular maneuver be exceeded. SpaceX wants to try that 71 Meter to let the high super heavy booster land undamaged.
The schedule for the test flight
Knapp 7 minutes After the launch, the booster should arrive on the surface of the earth and captured become. The upper rocket stage is intended to fly further into orbit and after about an hour a controlled one in the Indian Ocean splashdown lie down.
The launch window opens on Sunday October 13th one 2:00 p.m (CEST). The transmission of the live stream will be round 30 minutes start before the start.
The exciting capture maneuver
Unlike the Falcon 9 boosters, the Starship boosters do not have their own legs for landing. Therefore, the specially designed giant crane with its… Chopstick-Armen capture the booster upon landing.
At the same time, the crane should place the first rocket stage back on the launch platform. The same crane is also used to… 120 meter high Starship rocket system to put together.
Like such maneuver The space company already showed a few months ago. One Videoanimation The landing can be seen in the following X-Posting. “Excitement guaranteed”, on his website.
Aimed at less than an hour
By capturing the 1st rocket stage, not only should the booster be able to be reused, it should also be possible Time span between 2 flights can be significantly reduced. This is intended to save costs and massively increase the frequency of rocket launches.
SpaceX-CEO Elon Musk that between 2 rocket launches less than 1 hour should pass. Before this can be achieved, the space company must first develop a routine for Starship launches and landings.
