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We could finally see the Spacex spaceship take off into orbit next month.
SpaceX's orbital launch of its fully reusable Starship rocket is arguably the most exciting upcoming space mission of the year. And maybe we won't have to wait too long to see it fly away.
Starship may be in orbit for the first time as early as the end of February, though March is more likely, according to a spacex CEO elon musk update via twitter.
Elon Musk: "We have a real shot at late February"
If all goes to plan, Starship, SpaceX's next-generation rocket, will drastically reduce the cost of successive rocket launches due to the fact the company will reuse the entire spacecraft. Musk and spacex have been working for a long time to launch the ship, the ultimate aim being the human journey to Mars and beyond.
In November, Musk said Starship was about two static fire tests from launch. Since then, spacex has carried out two static tests of fire engines, suggesting that the orbital launch is right around the corner. Now, Musk has provided a new update via twitter, where he has established a new approximate launch date.
We are very fortunate at the end of February. March launch attempt appears highly likely," Musk wrote on Twitter on Saturday, January 7.
We're really lucky at the end of February. March launch attempt appears highly likely.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2023
SpaceX also recently shared footage of Ship 24 being stacked onto Booster 7. Ship 24 is the 165-foot-tall (50 meters) upper stage, also known simply as Starship. Booster 7, during this time, is the massive top level booster called super heavy. The next orbital test flight will utilize both components of the prototype, which have undergone extensive testing in recent months at the spacex star base in southern Texas.
The spaceship is going to be the most powerful rocket in the world.
Although it seems that SpaceX is currently preparing for the launch of Starship, There is still work to be done by the private space company before the capital mission. Musk, for instance, stated that the company has not yet conducted a complete static fire test on 33 engines with Booster 7. Static fire tests show rockets firing a number of their motors while they are anchored on the ground.
Ship 24 stacked on Super Heavy Booster 7 at Starbase in Texas pic.twitter.com/hLcghfq349
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 10, 2023
For the spaceship's orbital launch, the 24 spacecraft will fly into orbit before circling the Earth once. It will then crash into the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii's kauai island. Booster 7 will also land in the Gulf of Mexico shortly after its launch.
Although the prototypes of spaceships have already flown, and they have made impressive maneuvers and landings on their belly, it will be the first time that a prototype spaceship will reach orbit. This will also be the first time the vessel has flown on top of a super heavy vehicle.
Once operational, that combination is expected to take the crown back from NASA for the organization with the world's most powerful rocket. SpaceX previously held the title with Falcon Heavy, though NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) for Artemis I now has the title of the world's most powerful operational rocket.
