SpaceX is preparing for its next test flight of the Starship megarocket on Friday, following a dramatic mid-air explosion over the Caribbean during its last trial. The company has implemented upgrades to the upper-stage spaceship, including reliability and performance enhancements.
The launch will take place from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, pending regulatory approval. It marks the eighth test flight of Starship, with the mission expected to last just over an hour. The company will attempt to catch the booster stage using the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms and deploy Starlink simulators designed to mimic next-generation satellites.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded Starship after its previous flight on January 16 ended in a fiery cascade, prompting cleanup and recovery efforts. SpaceX must complete a mishap investigation or request an early return to flight before the probe is finalized.
As President Donald Trump’s closest advisor, Elon Musk faces allegations of wielding undue influence over regulatory agencies overseeing his companies. The upcoming flight aims to prove Starship is flightworthy and safe for crewed missions, which is crucial for SpaceX’s long-term vision of colonizing Mars.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-02-spacex-friday-starship-megarocket.html