On the 10th local time, the U.S. Space Exploration Technology Corporation said that the "Starship" rocket and spacecraft integrated system may be tested within a week. If all goes well, this will be the second test flight of the "Starship" since the first test flight failed in April.
On April 22, local time, a citizen walked past the launch pad of the Boca Chica Launch Base, where the "Starship" made its first test flight on the 20th. The rocket exploded shortly after takeoff.
SpaceX stated on its social media platform on the evening of the 10th that the "Starship" is ready to be launched "as early as November 17" and is currently waiting for final approval from regulatory authorities.
Promotional materials released by the company show that the new "Starship" rocket is currently standing on the launch pad.
According to the contract signed between NASA and Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, the "Starship" will be used as a vehicle to carry American astronauts back to the moon for the "Artemis 3" manned lunar landing program. However, the relevant research and development process has been delayed several times.
"Starship" conducted its first orbital test flight, and the rocket exploded shortly after liftoff.
On April 20 this year, the "Starship" rocket and spacecraft integrated system conducted its first orbital test flight, but the rocket exploded shortly after liftoff. According to AFP, the rocket engine malfunctioned and the first-stage booster did not separate from the spacecraft above.
According to regulations, the second test flight of "Starship" requires a launch license from the FAA. The FAA completed safety inspections in October. However, the test flight project still needs approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
On April 19, local time, the "Starship" was preparing to conduct its first orbital test flight.
Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, said in early October that the separation system of "Starship" has been completely overhauled. Testing the new system will be "the most dangerous part of flying," and he doesn't want to set expectations "too high."
According to Musk, the flight plans of the two test flights are similar, that is, after separation from the booster, the "Starship" spacecraft cabin will complete a nearly orbital flight and then crash into the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.
According to the website of the Space Exploration Technology Company, the new generation heavy-duty launch vehicle "Starship" is the largest and most powerful launch vehicle in the world so far, with a total height of about 120 meters and a diameter of about 9 meters. The rocket consists of two parts. The bottom is the first-stage "Super Heavy" booster, which is about 69 meters high and is equipped with 33 "Raptor" engines; the top is the spacecraft, which is about 50 meters high and can be reused.
"Starship" is a recyclable rocket that is larger than Space Exploration Technology's existing "Falcon 9" and "Falcon Heavy" launch vehicles. It can send more than 100 tons of payload into earth orbit. Its design goal is to send people and cargo to earth orbit, the moon and Mars.