After a number of federal government files revealed a prospective November launch date for the 2nd Starship launch flight, SpaceX validated earlier today that the launch might occur as quickly as mid-November if it gets regulative clearance for the world's biggest rocket. After performing Starship's very first orbital test flight effort in April, SpaceX has actually taken a months-long break that has actually seen the company make numerous upgrades to its rocket and reconstruct the launch pad for the 2nd flight.
SpaceX's most current Starship statement came a number of hours before it flew and landed the Falcon 9 rocket for the 18th time. The objective introduced 23 Starlink satellites into orbit, suggesting that either SpaceX has actually handled to squeeze more efficiency out of its workhorse rocket or made satellite style modifications.
SpaceX Launches 23 Gen2 Starlink Satellites For The Second Time On A Falcon 9 Rocket
The Falcon 9 rocket with the 23 Starlink satellites removed from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 8:37 p.m. regional time today. It marked the 2nd time that 23 Gen2 satellites had actually flown on a Falcon 9 rocket, revealing that SpaceX has actually gradually begun to increase the capability of its rocket to release more spacecraft. The very first Starlink Gen2 launch happened in February and it saw the Falcon 9 launch 21 spacecraft to low Earth orbit (LEO).
Ever since, the majority of the Gen2 launches included 22 Starlink satellites, and late October marked the very first time that the Falcon 9 bumped this approximately 23. This was followed by today's launch, which likewise set another record for SpaceX in rocket reusability. The current Starlink launch was the very first time that SpaceX flew a rocket 18 times, and this specific booster has actually released 12 Starlink objectives, 2 satellite trip share objectives, 2 NASA launches and another satellite.
The booster is the very first independently run rocket to have actually sent out astronauts into area, as its inaugural flight was the NASA-SpaceX Demo-2 objective that flew astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station (ISS) in May 2020.
Along with setting a brand-new record with the Falcon 9, SpaceX likewise prepares to try to set another record later on this month through the Starship orbital flight test. This test will see the world's biggest rocket take off from Boca Chica, Texas, and if the launch succeeds, then fly a substantial range before being disposed of into the ocean.
The 2nd Starship orbital test flight has actually been a constant function of media protection in October. SpaceX is presently dealing with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to clear its water deluge system for the launch pad. The FWS is dealing with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to finish the Starship ecological evaluation, with the FAA having actually finished the security examination part of the launch late last month.
In a tweet made on X (previously Twitter), SpaceX shared earlier today that the "2nd flight test of a completely incorporated Starship might release as quickly as mid-November, pending regulative approval," developing anticipation after notifications from the Coast Guard and a NASA placeholder for an imaging airplane have actually meant a November flight effort. The FWS, for its part, has actually warned that the law permits it to invest months for an ecological evaluation however included that it does not anticipate to take the complete timeline period for the examination.