SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, shared extraordinary photos of the third Starship launch rehearsal, aiming to launch the world's largest rocket. The 395-foot-tall rocket, filled with over 10 million pounds of propellant, awaits FAA clearance due to a mishap investigation following a previous explosion.
Starship completed its rehearsal for launch, loading more than 10 million pounds of propellant on Starship and Super Heavy and taking the flight-like countdown to T-10 seconds pic.twitter.com/1px7nyzhqQ
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 4, 2024
SpaceX Aces Starship Fueling Test: Anticipates Mars Mission in Third Launch Attempt
SpaceX has triumphed in a pivotal fueling test for its upcoming Starship launch, marking a significant step toward the eagerly anticipated third launch attempt of the colossal rocket.
The 400-foot-tall Starship, crafted from gleaming stainless steel and accompanied by its Super Heavy booster, underwent a successful dress rehearsal at SpaceX's Starbase facility in southern Texas. Over 10 million pounds of liquid methane and oxygen propellant were loaded into the rocket during this crucial phase.
Musk shared the noteworthy progress with a post on X (formerly Twitter) on March 4, announcing, "Starship Flight 3 preparing for launch." The fueling test's stunning photos were also unveiled in a separate X post, showcasing the impressive scale and capabilities of the Starship.
Engineered to be the most powerful and entirely reusable rocket globally, SpaceX's Starship and Super Heavy boast the capacity to lift an impressive 165 tons into orbit. NASA has selected Starship as the designated lunar lander for its Artemis 3 mission, slated to transport astronauts to the moon in 2026.
However, the necessity of successful near-orbital flights is underscored by the shortcomings of the initial two tests in April and November of 2023.
Starship's launch force, surpassing even the formidable Saturn V, the former pinnacle of NASA's space launch arsenal, amplifies its significance in space exploration.
Elon Musk estimates the Starship project's total development cost between $2 billion and $10 billion. SpaceX's captivating launch rehearsal photos show meticulous preparations, with Musk expressing optimism about launching Starship nine times in 2024.
The ultimate aim is human journeys to Mars, with an anticipated early March third test flight, pending Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)clearance.
SpaceX Faces FAA Hurdles After Failed Starship Launches
The company faced challenges in obtaining FAA approval following two unsuccessful launches, the initial one resulting in an explosion over the Gulf of Mexico in April of the preceding year. The intended trajectory was 90 miles above ground for 90 minutes, yet Starship exploded roughly four minutes into the mission after the Super Heavy booster detached.
SpaceX acknowledged the value of learning from such tests, emphasizing improvements to enhance Starship's reliability and contribute to the vision of establishing life on multiple planets.
After the incident, the FAA temporarily grounded the entire Starship fleet, citing an anomaly during ascent and the loss of the vehicle. The FAA investigation, which concluded in September, noted 63 corrective actions undertaken by SpaceX, encompassing hardware redesign to prevent leaks and fires, modifications to the launch pad, and comprehensive testing of safety-critical systems, including the Autonomous Flight Safety System.
Following a failed November launch lasting around eight minutes, the FAA, in close collaboration with SpaceX, is actively addressing safety concerns to authorize Starship liftoff. Considering SpaceX's ambitious 2024 launch schedule, the FAA anticipates issuing a launch license in mid-March.
Although Starship currently cannot transport humans to Mars, ongoing development aligns with Elon Musk's vision for manned Red Planet missions by 2030, a pivotal aspect of his broader goal to establish human colonies and cities beyond Earth.
RELATED ARTICLE: Elon Musk: SpaceX's Starship Test Launch Only Has 50% Success Rate, Might Even Explode Like Its Predecessors
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