Around six months after the largest rocket system ever built in space history exploded during a test flight, the next test is scheduled to start on Friday. A two-hour launch window will open at 2 p.m. (CET) at the spaceport in the US state of Texas, and a live stream is also planned, SpaceX announced.
At the same time, Elon Musk’s space company sent out a noise warning to residents of surrounding Cameron County: A “loud noise” may be heard from the 33 engines in the area. “But what people will experience also depends on the weather and other conditions.”
FAA called for numerous improvement measures
The “Starship” set off for an unmanned test launch for the first time in mid-April – and exploded and shattered four minutes later. Billionaire Musk, whose space company SpaceX developed and built the “Starship” rocket system, did not see this as a setback, but as an “exciting test launch.” Musk had always emphasized that the next test start should follow as soon as possible.
The US aviation authority FAA had investigated the incident and called for numerous improvement measures as a condition for such a next test start. SpaceX announced that it had implemented numerous improvements and changes.
The “Starship” – consisting of the approximately 70 meter long “Super Heavy” booster and the approximately 50 meter long upper stage, also called “Starship” – is intended to enable manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The system is designed so that the spacecraft and rocket can be reused after returning to Earth. The system, which is around 120 meters long in total, will be able to transport well over 100 tons of cargo in the future. NASA wants to take astronauts to the moon with the “Starship”. SpaceX hopes to one day get to Mars.
