Space exploration is about to take a new leap forward with the third test flight of SpaceX's Starship, a highly anticipated event for enthusiasts of the space industry. This gigantic launcher, designed to carry humans and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, could soon take off for the third time, as announced by Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of SpaceX.
The Starship shortly after its launch during the second test flight.
Image SpaceX
Starship stands out with its innovative design, incorporating a first stage named Super Heavy and a second-stage spaceship that is 164 feet (50 meters) tall, also named Starship, both propelled by SpaceX's next-generation Raptor engine. This vehicle, made entirely of stainless steel, is designed to be fully and quickly reusable, marking a significant advancement in reducing the costs of space exploration.
The first two test flights of the Starship, conducted in April and November of last year from the Starbase site in Southern Texas, have been rich in lessons learned. The first flight ended in a controlled explosion a few minutes after takeoff, following several major issues, including the failure of the two stages to separate. The second trial had a better outcome with a successful separation, though both stages eventually exploded.
Preparation for the third flight is already well underway, with SpaceX having recently transported and assembled the two stages of the Starship on the launch pad. However, launch authorization by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is still pending, following the investigation into the incidents of the November flight.
Elon Musk is not short of ambition for the future of Starship, announcing even larger and more powerful versions. The launcher, already the tallest and most powerful ever built at 400 feet (122 meters) in height once assembled, could soon be extended by 33 to 49 feet (10 to 15 meters).
SpaceX's commitment to the development of reusable and scalable space technologies underlines the importance of these test flights for the future of space exploration. With each flight, SpaceX moves closer to its goal of making the Moon, Mars, and beyond accessible, thus opening up new possibilities for space exploration.