SpaceX is preparing for the seventh flight test of its Starship vehicle, a massive spacecraft designed to carry humans and cargo to Earth’s orbit, the moon, and Mars. The test, scheduled for Monday afternoon, will mark the first attempt to deploy a Starlink satellite simulator from the vehicle.
The new 400-foot Starship vehicle features several upgrades and objectives, building on the milestones achieved in 2024. These upgrades include improvements to its propulsion system and heat shield, as well as redesigns to enhance vehicle performance and enable longer missions.
During the test, mission operators will attempt to deploy 10 Starlink simulators, similar in size and weight to next-generation satellites. The simulators will be deployed on a suborbital trajectory and splash down in the Indian Ocean.
SpaceX is also planning to attempt to catch the rocket booster at the launch pad for the fifth time. This maneuver has been attempted once before, but was called off due to damaged sensors on the catch tower’s mechanical arms. The company has upgraded the tower with new hardware intended to make a booster catch more feasible.
The Super Heavy rocket booster will be outfitted with a flight-proven Raptor engine from its previous launch, marking the first time reusable engine hardware is being reused in space. SpaceX also plans to reignite its Raptor engines in space for an orbital burn – a crucial maneuver to bring a vehicle back to Earth.
SpaceX aims to increase Starship launches in 2025, with a proposal that would more than quintuple the flight tests of the massive rocket to 25 this year. However, federal regulators must approve the plan, which comes as SpaceX’s influence over U.S. policy is likely to grow with President-elect Donald Trump taking office.
The Starship program has made significant progress in 2024, including a successful booster catch and improved propulsion system designs. With its ambitious plans for reuse and long-term missions, SpaceX is setting the stage for a pivotal year ahead, marking a new era for human spaceflight.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/01/10/spacex-starship-flight-7-test-launch/77591597007