SpaceX declares Starship ready for orbit, sets launch date next week
Reaching orbit would mark a significant milestone.
Reaching orbit would mark a significant milestone.
The short version
- Pending regulatory approval, SpaceX said today it intends to launch its 14th Starship mission as early as September 22.
- This flight is notable, as it will be the first time that SpaceX attempts to launch the experimental vehicle into orbit.
- The company set a target liftoff time of 7:15 am local in Texas (12:15 UTC), with a 75-minute launch window.
What happened
Sunrise in Brownsville, Texas, is 7:17 am CT, so the launch could make for some striking imagery. The super heavy lift rocket will be carrying 26 of the larger V3 Starlink satellites into an orbit 275 km above the Earth.
Why it matters
In an update on its website , SpaceX said the Starship upper stage will seek to complete six orbits around the Earth before completing its mission after about 10 hours.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.