SpaceX launches its largest and most powerful Starship upgrade yet on a test flight from Starbase near the southern tip of Texas. The flight is the 12th test flight of the Starship system SpaceX is developing for future crewed missions to Mars. Multiple outlets report the rocket is a redesigned, upgraded version (described as a “V3” and “beefed-up” Starship) and that the vehicle lifts off from a brand-new launch pad. The launch is also linked to company news: SpaceX’s redesigned Starship is reported to make its debut two days after Elon Musk announced plans to take the company public. On the mission, SpaceX carries 20 mock Starlink satellites, which are released during the flight, with the overall mission lasting about an hour and traveling halfway around the world. Coverage also notes that NASA is watching the tests because Starship is intended to support NASA’s Artemis program, including landing astronauts on the Moon. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attends the launch and says the test brings Starship closer to the Moon, while SpaceX expects the test flight to end in a controlled landing/impact that is not unexpected given the test objectives.
SpaceX launches upgraded Starship on 12th test flight from Texas
SpaceX launches its largest and most powerful Starship upgrade yet on a test flight from Starbase near the southern tip of Texas. The flight is the 12th test flight of the Starship system SpaceX is de...
- SpaceX launches an upgraded Starship on its 12th test flight.
- The launch takes place at Starbase near the Mexican border in southern Texas.
- The mission carries 20 mock Starlink satellites released during the flight.
- NASA, through its Artemis program, is a key customer for Starship-related Moon missions; NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attends.
- Coverage links the redesigned Starship’s first flight to an announcement from Elon Musk about taking SpaceX public two days earlier.
SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight Friday, an upgraded version that NASA is counting on to land astronauts on the moon.
3 months agoThe mega rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he's taking the company public. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said Starship is now one step closer to the moon.
3 months agoSpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight Friday, an upgraded version that NASA is counting on to land astronauts on the moon. The redesigned mega rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he’s taking the company public. It blasted off from the southern tip of Texas, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites that were released midway through the hourlong spaceflight that stretched halfway around the world. The spacecraft reached its final destination — the Indian Ocean — despite some engine trouble, before erupting in flames upon impact. That last part was not unexpected, according to SpaceX. Musk called it “an epic” launch and landing. “You scored a goal for humanity,” he told his team via X. It’s the 12th test flight of the rocket that Musk is building to get people to Mars one day. But first comes the moon and NASA’s Artemis program. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flew in for the launch, saying Starship is now one step closer to the moon. The last of the old space-skimming Starships lifted off in October. SpaceX’s
3 months agoSpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight Friday, an upgraded version that NASA is counting on to land astronauts on the moon. The redesigned mega rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he's taking the company public. It blasted off from the southern tip of Texas, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites for release halfway around the world. It's the 12th test flight of the rocket that Musk is building to get people to Mars one day. But first comes the moon and NASA's Artemis program. The last of the old space-skimming Starships lifted off in October. SpaceX's third-generation Starship -- a souped-up version dubbed V3 -- soared from a brand-new launch pad at Starbase, near the Mexican border. Last-minute pad issues thwarted Thursday evening's launch attempt. SpaceX was hoping to avoid the fireworks it experienced during back-to-back launches last year when midair explosions rained wreckage down on the Atlantic. Earlier flights
3 months agoSpaceX's 12th Starship test flight took place just two days after Elon Musk announced that he was taking the company public.
3 months agoThe redesigned mega rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he's taking the company public.
3 months ago
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