Space has become exciting again, almost as much as in the golden age of the first Russian and American missions. The Starship is of course the current megastar of rockets thanks to its excess and its great firsts. This was the case on October 13 with the Mechazilla tower which caught up with a (huge) rocket stage for the very first time in history.
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A month later, a new test is announced at 11 p.m. (Paris time), Monday, November 18, or 4 p.m. in Boca Chica (Texas) where the Starbase is located. Will Elon Musk celebrate the victory of his foal Donald Trump in the presidential election there on the occasion of this sixth Starship test? No one would be surprised if the “president-elect” made an appearance, especially since the risk of failure is quite limited, we will see why.
SpaceX is planning a Starship launch every 15 days soon!
This pace of launches may seem pretty crazy, less than five weeks after SpaceX’s legendary feat. This pace is nevertheless necessary to respect the deadlines imposed by the contract signed with NASA, which provides for the Artemis 3 mission to land two astronauts on the Moon in 2026 using the Starship upper stage (although many people think this will be closer to 2030 in reality). To achieve this, Elon Musk and SpaceX have already revealed their objective of one flight every 15 days in a fairly short time. This extreme pace therefore requires regular performance, without a hitch, and we now know that the Super Heavy’s catch in October came just one second from self-destruction!
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Here is the ITF-6 flight plan for November 18 (click on the image):
You will say to yourself that it looks a lot like the ITF-5, and this is true and logical for several reasons. First, the FAAwhich manages flight authorizations, had issued the agreement for ITF-5 and 6 at the same time, having similar flight plans. Indeed, if there is a significant modification, a new application must be filed according to the rules of the American federal authority. Furthermore, if the flight with recovery on October 13 worked, it was a bit of a miracle and we will have to do much better this time, particularly on the thermal protections which tend to heat up too much, or even burn. This is good, new materials will be put to the test during the next launch.
Crucial new feature: the re-ignition of the Starship’s Raptor engine to finally aim for a real orbital flight!
Until now, Starship tests have remained just below orbit (minimum 160 km altitude), following a ballistic trajectory to prevent the vessel from becoming debris in the event that the flight is not controlled. It is therefore a major issue, an obligation for SpaceX to quickly achieve the re-ignition of the engines in quasi-orbit. This re-ignition is also a condition for achieving in-flight refueling in 2025, absolutely necessary for the Artemis lunar missions and future Martian missions, both of which are very demanding in fuel.
It is also likely that this Starship model will be the last of its generation, Elon Musk’s space company having announced that the ITF-7 will fly a Starship V2 with software developments, larger tanks and flaps (fins). in French) redesigned mobiles. The latter have in fact been a problem for a long time: they heat up too much during atmospheric reentry, as we saw again during the last flight.
Please note, the firing window for this imminent flight is only 30 minutes, between 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. local time.
The announcement of the November 18 date came at the same time as SpaceX’s official video of last October’s test. No, we never get tired of it!
Advertisement, your content continues below Crazy rumor
The craziest rumor about SpaceX?
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Some say that since the election of Donald Trump, one day seeing Starships carry out Earth-to-Earth shots, for example in intercontinental flight, is possible.
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Elon Musk reportedly responded: “It’s now possible!”
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Do we believe it? Um…
The Starship Show: Are We Ready for Lift-Off?
Space has become exciting again—almost as thrilling as that time you realized your hair looks fantastic after a good blowout! The Starship is now the megastar of rockets, prancing around like a peacock on its ego trip.
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History in the Making
October 13 marked a historical moment when the Mechazilla tower successfully caught a rocket stage for the very first time! I mean, how very appropriate—first a moon landing, now this? I wonder what’s next, a rocket hosting The Graham Norton Show?
The Countdown to Nova-tion
Mark your calendars for November 18, where the next test launch is scheduled! And for you time geeks, that’s 11 p.m. Paris time, or 4 p.m. if you’re in Boca Chica, Texas. Will Elon Musk toast to a Trump victory there?
Because nothing screams “space exploration” like a questionable political celebration!
SpaceX aims to crank out one of these marvels every 15 days! Must be nice to have a job where “flying rockets” falls under “day-to-day operations.” It’s like if you and I woke up every morning saying, “I’m going to launch my new business today… oh, and also send a bunch of humans to the moon.”
The Galactic Re-ignition!
One crucial feature on the horizon is the re-ignition of the Raptor engine. Until now, Starship tests have flirted just beneath the orbit threshold (160 km), hovering dangerously like a teenager on prom night. But this could change!
If they pull this off, it opens the door to in-flight refueling by 2025, making those Moon missions more feasible.
The Future of Flight
Just to spice things up, the ITF-7 will roll out a Starship V2, boasting redesigned flaps and more appealing aesthetics—because let’s be honest, looks matter, even in space technology!
Those hot flaps are like a first date: you can’t afford to burn out too fast.
So, make sure to tune in for the November 18 launch. The firing window is just 30 minutes, so set those reminders—the last thing you want to miss is the rocket equivalent of “let’s get this party started!”
Wild Speculations
And if you’re wondering about crazy rumors, some are suggesting Earth-to-Earth shots, making intercontinental flights a reality. Is that true? Who knows! But if it is, I’ll definitely need a window seat!
Besides, who wouldn’t want to travel at supersonic speeds while munching on airplane peanuts?
- The rumor insists we might witness Starships lending a hand (or a rocket) to our travel solutions.
- And Musk allegedly proclaimed, “It’s now possible!” Mind you, as a pro in the surprise department, that man’s got us all on our toes.
- Should we buy into all of this? Oh, absolutely! After all, in a world of promise and speculation, what’s not to love?
In summary, space exploration is taking on a new energy, and the excitement is palpable! With Elon Musk as the charismatic leader of this cosmic-cabaret, who wouldn’t want a front-row seat to the greatest show in the galaxy?
Space exploration has regained its thrilling momentum, reminiscent of the exhilarating early days of both Russian and American missions. The Starship, a remarkable feat of engineering, has emerged as the current icon of rocketry, celebrated for its groundbreaking accomplishments. Notably, on October 13, the Mechazilla tower successfully captured a massive rocket stage, marking a historic milestone in aerospace history.
SpaceX is planning a Starship launch every 15 days soon!
This ambitious schedule comes less than five weeks after SpaceX’s extraordinary achievement. However, this rapid cadence is imperative to meet the deadlines set forth in the contract with NASA, which aims for NASA’s Artemis 3 mission, set to land astronauts on the lunar surface by 2026 utilizing the Starship upper stage, despite many experts anticipating that it may realistically occur closer to 2030. To achieve this, Elon Musk and his team have set the audacious target of launching every 15 days. This rigorous timeline necessitates flawless performance and reliability, especially considering that the Super Heavy’s successful capture just one second shy of catastrophic failure underscores the stakes involved!
Crucial new feature: the re-ignition of the Starship’s Raptor engine to finally aim for a real orbital flight!
Until now, Starship tests have operated just below the critical orbital threshold of 160 kilometers, adhering to a ballistic trajectory to mitigate the risk of becoming uncontrolled debris. Achieving the ability to re-ignite the engines in quasi-orbit is now a paramount priority for SpaceX. This capability is not only essential for current operations but is also a prerequisite for in-flight refueling, which is targeted for implementation in 2025, crucial for both the Artemis lunar missions and ambitious future aspirations of reaching Mars.
This upcoming Starship iteration might be the last of its current generation; Elon Musk’s company has announced that the forthcoming ITF-7 will feature a Starship V2, boasting upgraded software and enhancements including larger fuel tanks and redesigned mobile fins. These fins have posed considerable challenges due to overheating during atmospheric reentry, as evidenced in prior flights.
Please note, the firing window for this imminent flight is only 30 minutes, confined to the period between 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. local time.
The announcement of the November 18 launch date coincided with the release of SpaceX’s official video showcasing last month’s testing. No, the excitement never fades!
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Elon Musk reportedly entertained the notion that, especially following Donald Trump’s election, we could one day see Starships conducting Earth-to-Earth travel, potentially revolutionizing intercontinental flight.
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Musk himself seemingly endorsed this idea by declaring, “It’s now possible!”
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Do we believe it? Well…
Starship launch 4
Meters. However, with successful re-ignition of the Raptor engine, Starship could finally achieve a true orbital flight. This innovation not only represents a significant leap for SpaceX but also has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach deep space missions, including those targeting the Moon and beyond. If all goes according to plan, in-flight refueling could become a reality by 2025, thus enabling missions that push the boundaries of what humans can explore in outer space.
The design of Starship V2: a new level of aesthetics!
The upcoming Starship V2 promises to feature redesigned flaps that not only perform better aerodynamically but also have a striking visual appeal. In an industry where form meets function, SpaceX recognizes that aesthetics play an essential role in attracting public interest and support. The upgraded design is sure to capture imaginations and perhaps even change the perception of space travel as a sleek and sophisticated venture.
Speculations abound, including superluminal travel possibilities!
One of the most outrageous rumors to surface is the notion of Earth-to-Earth flights utilizing the Starship technology. If true, this would change air travel forever, reducing flight times dramatically while delivering passengers to their destinations at incredible speeds. While these concepts remain highly speculative, the very notion ignites the imaginations of aspiring space travelers and future generations who dream of a universe where the stars aren’t just far away, but potentially their next vacation destination.
As we gear up for the next test launch on November 18, one thing is for certain: the world is watching SpaceX with bated breath, eager to see how this exciting new chapter in space exploration unfolds. Whether you are a space enthusiast or simply intrigued by the possibilities of human innovation and exploration, this is undoubtedly a time to stay tuned. The Starship Show is just getting started, and the countdown to the future of flight has begun!