SpaceX's Starship rocket is scheduled to attempt its 14th test flight on Monday, with the ambitious goal of entering Earth's orbit. The test, expected to last about 10 hours, will involve the upper stage of the experimental rocket flying into Earth orbit and deploying 26 next-generation Starlink satellites. This launch marks a significant step in the development of the massive launch vehicle designed for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
The launch, scheduled to take place in Texas starting at 7:15 am local time, comes three years after the rocket's first test flight. Elon Musk's SpaceX plans to shift into high gear with this test flight, following its high-profile initial public offering in June. The test will involve the rocket flying on a suborbital trajectory, and if all systems are go, then performing a second burn to reach orbit.
To reach the necessary altitude and speed, the rocket has to do different things when it's experiencing different levels of gravity, according to Kathleen Curlee, a senior analyst at Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology. The spacecraft will be launched on a suborbital trajectory and, if all systems are go, then perform a second burn to reach a circular orbit about 275 km above the Earth, requiring a speed of about 28,000 km/hour.
If the test is successful, the spacecraft will then attempt to deploy satellites designed to expand the company's already massive satellite internet constellation. The plan calls for the rocket to finish its journey in the Pacific Ocean after orbiting the Earth six times. The huge first-stage booster, called "Super Heavy," will fall shortly after launch into waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
SpaceX does not plan to catch the booster this time using huge mechanical arms. From an engineering point of view, "just achieving flight and getting data" would be considered a success, according to Curlee. However, spectators and investors have different expectations, and SpaceX needs to have flashy tests to meet these expectations.
The development of Starship has faced repeated delays, and a Chinese company has recently made progress in the field of reusable rockets. Despite this, SpaceX continues to dominate the global space launch market, thanks to its partially reusable Falcon rockets, and has made risk-taking its mantra. This 14th test flight will be followed the same week by three other SpaceX rocket launches, one of which will carry a crew of astronauts to the International Space Station.
The test flight is a crucial step in the development of the Starship rocket, which Musk hopes to make fully reusable. The rocket's ability to reach orbit and deploy satellites will be a significant milestone in the development of the launch vehicle. SpaceX is pushing the boundaries of space technology, and this test flight will be a key indicator of the company's progress.
Key points
- SpaceX's Starship rocket is set to attempt its 14th test flight on Monday, with the goal of entering Earth's orbit.
- The test flight will involve the upper stage of the experimental rocket flying into Earth orbit and deploying 26 next-generation Starlink satellites.
- The successful test will mark a significant step in the development of the massive launch vehicle designed for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
