About six months after the largest rocket system ever built in space history exploded during a test flight, the next test is scheduled for Friday. Residents near the launch pad should be prepared for a ‘loud noise’.
A two-hour launch window will open at 2 p.m. (CET) at the spaceport in the US state of Texas, and a livestream is also planned, SpaceX announced on Wednesday.
33 engines must make the rocket take off
At the same time, Elon Musk’s space company sent a noise alert to residents of surrounding Cameron County: a “loud noise” could be heard from the 33 engines in the area. “But what people will experience also depends on the weather and other circumstances.”
The “Starship” took off for the first time in mid-April for an unmanned test launch – and four minutes later it exploded and shattered. Billionaire Musk, whose space company SpaceX developed and built the “Starship” rocket system, saw this not as a setback but as an “exciting test launch.” Musk had always emphasized that the next launch should follow as soon as possible.
Flight to Mars as final destination
The US aviation authority FAA had investigated the incident and called for numerous improvement measures as a condition for such a subsequent test start. SpaceX announced that it had made 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 return to Earth. The system, which is approximately 120 meters long in total, will be able to transport more than 100 tons of freight in the future. NASA wants to take astronauts to the moon with the ‘Starship’. SpaceX hopes to one day reach Mars.
Source: Krone
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