SpaceX Eyes November 17 for Second Starship Test Flight

SpaceX is targeting November 17 for the second test flight of its Starship spacecraft, CEO Elon Musk announced on Friday. The company is still awaiting regulatory approval for the launch, but if everything goes according to plan, the test flight could take place as early as next week.

 

Advertisement

 

The second Starship test flight will be a more ambitious endeavor than the first, which took place in April 2021. The first test flight involved a 150-meter flight of the Starship prototype, which successfully reached the target altitude of 10 kilometers before landing back on Earth.

 

The second test flight will see the Starship prototype travel much higher, reaching an altitude of 24.1 kilometers. The prototype will also perform a flip maneuver during its ascent, demonstrating its ability to control its trajectory.

 

Advertisement

 

If the second test flight is successful, it will pave the way for Starship's first orbital flight. The orbital flight will be a major milestone for SpaceX, as it will demonstrate the Starship's ability to reach Earth orbit and return safely.

 

Starship is being developed to be a fully reusable launch system, capable of carrying both crew and cargo to orbit. SpaceX plans to use Starship to transport astronauts to the Moon and Mars, as well as to launch satellites.

The company is hopeful that Starship will revolutionize space travel by making it more affordable and accessible. SpaceX plans to begin commercial flights of Starship as early as 2024.

 

Advertisement

 

 

Here are some of the key details of the second Starship test flight:

• Launch Date: November 17 (pending regulatory approval)
• Launch Site: Starbase, Texas
• Altitude: 24.1 kilometers
• Maneuvers: Flip maneuver during ascent

SpaceX will be providing live coverage of the test flight on its website and social media channels.

Stay tuned for more updates on the second Starship test flight.