Second test of "Starship" missile system postponed
The second test of the largest rocket system ever built in the history of space travel has been postponed from Friday to Saturday. A drive unit on a control surface still had to be replaced, Elon Musk wrote on Thursday on the short messaging service X, formerly Twitter, which belongs to him. "That's why the launch has been postponed to Saturday." SpaceX announced shortly afterwards that a 20-minute launch window for the Starship would open at 14:00 CET on Saturday.
Musk's space company also sent a noise warning to the residents of the surrounding Cameron County in the US state of Texas: there may be a "loud noise" from the 33 engines. However, what could be heard locally would also depend on the weather and other conditions. The second launch attempt had previously been announced for Friday from 14:00 CET.
"Exciting test launch"
The "Starship" set off on its first unmanned test launch in mid-April - and four minutes later exploded and broke up. Billionaire Musk, whose company SpaceX developed and built the Starship rocket system, did not see this as a setback, however, but as an "exciting test launch". Musk has always emphasized that the next test launch with another Starship should follow as soon as possible.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had investigated the incident and demanded numerous improvements as a condition for such a next test launch. SpaceX announced that it had implemented numerous improvements and changes. The FAA has now given the green light.
The "Starship" - consisting of the approximately 70-meter-long "Super Heavy" booster and the approximately 50-meter-long upper stage, also called "Starship" - is intended to enable manned missions to the moon and Mars. The system is designed in such a way that the spaceship and rocket can be reused after returning to Earth. The system, which is around 120 meters long, should be able to transport well over 100 tons of cargo in the future. NASA wants to use the "Starship" to take astronauts to the moon. SpaceX hopes to reach Mars one day.
The postponement of the SpaceX's "Starship" test launch can be attributed to the need for a replacement of a drive unit on a control surface, as mentioned by Elon Musk. The continual advancement in space travel and science remains crucial, as demonstrated by SpaceX's efforts to improve their rocket system in preparation for future missions to the moon and Mars.
Source: www.dpa.com
