Starship flight coming soon. SpaceX is not slowing down

After a busy week spent launching cargo into space for the U.S. government and private customers, SpaceX is not slowing down. Workers are conducting test operations of Starship, the largest rocket in the history of mankind, which will take humanity to Mars in the future.

At the launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas, work continues relentlessly day and night. The company has managed to transport all of the rocket’s components and attach them to the launch platform over the past few days.

Rocket ready, Starship flight just around the corner?

Unfortunately, the mere fact that the spacecraft is present at a suitable launch site does not necessarily mean that a launch will take place in the near future. SpaceX employees are taking a very strict approach to preparations. They have a whole bunch of tests planned, which will demonstrate whether all the rocket and software components are working properly. These include static fire tests, which both modules of the rocket have already passed, or flame deflector tests. This is an installation underneath the launch pad, from which water gushes out to dampen the shock wave that could damage the rocket. After the rocket’s first flight, workers are paying much more attention to this component. On the first approach, the craft formed a huge crater, and little was left of the launch pad.

Currently, the rocket is waiting to go through the WDR (Wet Dress Rehearsals) test. It involves launching the entire launch procedure, refueling the rocket with liquid oxygen and methane, and other preparations for flight. The only difference between this test and the flight is that there is no ignition of the engines.
Unfortunately, in the past few days, two attempts were made at the previously mentioned test, but for reasons unknown to us it was interrupted during the refueling procedure.

When can we expect the next Starship flight?

Seeing the progress of work on the rocket, it is likely that Starship will take to the air as early as next month. Of course, there is a lot of speculation in this, but seeing the pace of work we are seeing, I think this date is realistic.

The current progress of the rocket can be followed on one of the many live broadcasts from the test facility. There, the hosts sometimes present SpaceX’s upcoming plans for future tests, or the flight of the Starship.