SpaceX is preparing for the second-ever fully integrated test flight of its Starship spacecraft. The launch window is set to open at 8AM ET today, with a 20-minute timeframe for liftoff. If all goes well with the pre-flight procedures and weather conditions are favorable, the spacecraft will make another attempt to reach space.
The first fully integrated launch of Starship took place in April, but it did not fully meet the company’s objectives. As a result, SpaceX had to intentionally destroy the spacecraft after its two stages failed to separate. This incident led to an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which grounded Starship temporarily. The explosion caused debris to scatter across 385 acres of land, pulverized concrete to rain down on areas up to 6.5 miles northwest of the pad site, and even started a wildfire at Boca Chica State Park. To address these concerns, the FAA required SpaceX to implement 63 corrective actions before allowing the company to fly its reusable spacecraft again.
For this upcoming test flight, SpaceX has made several changes based on the lessons learned from the first launch. These include a new hot-stage separation system, a new electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for Super Heavy Raptor engines, reinforcements to the pad foundation, and a water-cooled steel flame deflector.
SpaceX will be broadcasting the launch live on its website and on X. The live broadcast is scheduled to start at 7:24AM ET. If the stages of the Starship spacecraft successfully separate during this flight, the upper stage will continue its journey, flying across the planet before eventually splashing down off the coast of Hawaii.
Overall, this test flight represents another opportunity for SpaceX to demonstrate the capabilities of its Starship spacecraft and move closer to achieving its goal of making space travel more accessible and sustainable.
