On April 20, SpaceX will conduct the second attempt to launch the most powerful rocket in the world, Starship. Elon Musk confirmed his readiness for testing.
All systems are ready to launch,” Elon Musk unexpectedly wrote. This is the first orbital flight of the prototype Starship rocket. The first test, which SpaceX conducted on April 17, was aborted a few minutes before the engines were fired.
Starship will launch on April 20? This is Elon Musk’s dream
Over the past few days, SpaceX has been conducting a detailed inspection of the Starship. The vehicle was disconnected from the Superheavy launch vehicle and carefully checked for potential problems.
Initially, it was said that the next launch attempt could take place on Friday, April 21. However, Elon Musk was surprised by the information that the second test will be held on April 20. The launch window, approved by the Federal Aviation Agency, starts at 15:28 Polish time.
For Elon Musk, April 20th is a dream moment. Known for his love of memes, the billionaire has already planned big events for this date many times. In the American notation for dates, it forms 4/20, which is associated on the Internet with the intake of one of the narcotic substances.
First launch attempt canceled
On April 17, SpaceX conducted the first orbital test of its latest prototype ship. This was the first attempt to launch a starship mounted on a Superheavy launch vehicle. So far, all flight tests of about 10 km have been carried out using only the Starship itself, which is actually the second “stage” of the entire rocket. However, orbital flight is impossible without the use of superheavy ones.
SpaceX assumed from the outset that it would not attempt to land any of the rocket stages. Both the Starship and the launch vehicle (which flew for the first time) were launched. However, the first test was stopped a few minutes before the scheduled launch. The cause was one of the fuel valves, which froze during refueling.
Starship is the most powerful rocket in the world
The first orbital flight of Starship, and each subsequent stage of testing the newest SpaceX rocket, is of great importance. Not only is it the most powerful rocket ever created by man, but it should finally take him to Mars.
The SpaceX team is preparing to attempt its first orbital launch in more than a week. The mission was simulated, as well as all the processes that can be tested without starting a real procedure that requires the evacuation of the entire area. Then, after the first failed attempt, SpaceX conducted another test of the rocket.
Flight to Mars and the development of the Starlink project
In addition to lofty plans for the transformation of man into an interplanetary species, i.e. flight to Mars, Elon Musk wants to use Starship for much more “mundane” purposes. The huge cargo bay of the new rocket is also expected to be used to transport and launch new, much larger Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. This will allow the development of the “space Internet” program and, thus, increase the income from the commercial activities of SpaceX.
Source: Wprost
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