Elon Musk’s SpaceX is gearing up for the third launch of its massive Starship rocket, following two failed missions, with coverage beginning at about 13.25 GMT. What will the company be hoping for and what can we expect?
By Matthew Sparkes
14 March 2024
SpaceX’s Starship prepped for flight
SpaceX
SpaceX is launching its massive Starship rocket for the third time on 14 March, following two failed missions. Here is everything you need to know about it.
LATEST UPDATE:
Starship launch: Third flight reaches space but is lost on re-entry
What is Starship?
Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built. It is 121 metres long and its reusable booster can land safely after taking the second stage to an altitude of more than 70 kilometres. That second stage is also reusable, which is intended to make Starship an affordable, reliable vehicle capable of quickly turning around and relaunching. The ultimate aim of the project is to put humans on the moon and, later, Mars.
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What time is Starship blasting off?
SpaceX has announced that livestream video of the launch will begin at 8.25am local time in Texas, which is 13.25 GMT. The actual launch is expected to happen about 30 minutes after the livestream begins.
Where is Starship going?
This launch is, as you would expect, the most ambitious so far. SpaceX is aiming to carry out a successful first and second stage launch, taking Starship into space, where it will open and close its payload door as a test, shuffle fuel from one tank to another as a first step towards the eventual refuelling of one Starship by another – which will be vital for long-range missions – and relight its engines for a controlled re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere.
This launch will follow a new trajectory that will see the second stage splash down in the Indian Ocean. While it is designed to be a reusable craft, this mission aims to have it make a slow and controlled landing on the ocean rather than on land or a ship. This is easier and safer at this stage of development.