SpaceX is gearing up for the third flight test of its Starship rocket, scheduled to launch on Thursday, March 14. The test window opens at 7:00 a.m. CDT, with a 110-minute window for potential liftoff.
The Starship rocket, standing at an impressive 400 feet tall, is a key component in NASA's plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2026. This test will see the Starship vehicle paired with its Super Heavy booster, which last flew in November for a brief eight-minute flight.
The launch is set to take place at SpaceX's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. A live webcast from SpaceX will precede the launch by 30 minutes, starting at 6:30 a.m. CDT.
The primary objective of this test is to achieve Starship's first orbital flight, although this goal is not explicitly stated in the official objectives. The flight will feature a new trajectory, with Starship expected to splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This revised flight path will allow SpaceX to test new techniques such as in-space engine burns while prioritizing public safety.
SpaceX's previous Starship test on November 18 involved a long suborbital trajectory, but contact was lost after eight minutes. The failure was attributed to issues with venting liquid oxygen propellant.
SpaceX emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement as they strive to develop a fully reusable transportation system capable of ferrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, supporting lunar missions, and eventually enabling human exploration of Mars and beyond.
As the countdown to the third Starship flight test begins, space enthusiasts are encouraged to tune in for what promises to be a significant milestone in SpaceX's ambitious space exploration endeavors.
Wishing all viewers clear skies and a front-row seat to this exciting space launch.
