SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk, is gearing up for its third Starship test flight. After a busy week of launching payloads for both the U.S. government and private customers, SpaceX is maintaining its momentum with testing activities at its Boca Chica facility in Texas.
Unlike the gap between the first and second Starship tests last year, the time between the second and third tests has been significantly reduced. This is due to SpaceX making necessary changes to the launch pad and obtaining approval from relevant government agencies. The company recently transported its Starship booster and ship to the launch pad, and fuel loading activities have already commenced.
Fueling the Starship, which is the world’s largest rocket, is a complex and dangerous operation. To ensure safety, SpaceX closes the roads adjacent to its facilities during tests and rehearsals. Today, road closures were implemented as planned, and SpaceX began loading the Starship Super Heavy booster and ship with propellant.
In a departure from its usual procedures, SpaceX loaded fuel onto the ship earlier than expected. Local media footage captured the tests taking place in a cloud-covered launch site, reminiscent of SpaceX’s launches on the West Coast in California. The Falcon 9 rocket often cuts through the clouds before embarking on its journey to space.
Before launching a rocket of this magnitude into orbit, SpaceX conducts a series of tests at the site. These include static fire tests, tanking tests, wet dress rehearsals, and water deluge system tests, among others. Static fire tests evaluate the rocket’s engines for any potential anomalies before launch, while tanking tests ensure that the vehicle can withstand the pressures required to fill it with thousands of gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid methane.
Today’s tests focused on the tanks, and as expected with a steel structure like Starship, characteristic frosting appeared on the rocket’s first and second stages soon after the roadblocks were put in place. However, the test itself was brief, as SpaceX proceeded to depressurize the vehicle, indicating that it would not be a full wet dress rehearsal.
With today’s tests concluded, SpaceX will have to wait for a few days before resuming activities due to the federal holiday on Monday. While a full wet dress rehearsal is unlikely, given SpaceX’s rapid pace with Starship development, nothing can be said with absolute certainty.
As for the launch date of the next Starship test, it is currently projected to take place next month. However, given the nature of spaceflight and the ongoing development of Starship, there is a possibility of the test being delayed until April.
SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and technology with its ambitious Starship program. As the company progresses through its testing phase, the world eagerly awaits the next milestone in SpaceX’s journey towards making interplanetary travel a reality.
