SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, is about to attempt what's described as the "most ambitious test launch yet of its Starship-Super Heavy," a completely reusable rocket system that may someday reduce the cost of getting to space by 1,000-fold.
The aerospace company is targeting to unveil a three-engine, 16-story model of the Starship spaceship early next week from its expanding facilities at Boca, Chica.
On his Twitter post on November 24, Musk said the plan is to fly the spaceship model called Starship serial no. 8, or SN8, as high as 50,000 feet.
However, according to Reuters, SpaceX later reduced that maximum to 41,000 feet. Such a high flight attempt for an altitude, ScienceAlert reports, is yet "the most ambitions for Starship."
Good Starship SN8 static fire! Aiming for first 15km / ~50k ft altitude flight next week. Goals are to test 3 engine ascent, body flaps, transition from main to header tanks & landing flip.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2020
Dynamic Schedule
Last week, Musk said, "a lot of things need to go right" for SN8's intact and safe landing. He also said he thinks there is probably a one-third chance that it does.
An airspace closure notice indicates that SpaceX was given 8 am and 6 pm CT or 9 am and 7 pm ET by the Federal Aviation Administration to launch.
Commenting on the schedule, SpaceX said prior to the launch attempt, it is dynamic and possible to change, "as is the case with all developing testing."
The exact schedule of the planned takeoff is not announced publicly. Nevertheless, the high-altitude WB-57 jet of NAS took off at 3:11 pm CT from Houston and is slated to reach Boca Chica at around 4 pm CT. The plane needs to be in position for its launch to be broadcasted around 4:15 pm CT.
Live Broadcast
SpaceX is planning to host a live broadcast of the attempted launch on YouTube starting a couple of minutes prior to takeoff.
Nonetheless, fans of the aerospace firm are on the ground, streaming their own live video in the location. Based on previous flights of the Starship prototype, a series of events usually precedes launch.
A few hours beforehand, SpaceX will clear the personnel's launch area. About an hour earlier than the scheduled flight, storage tanks at the launch area will start venting gases as the SpaceX readies to fuel Starship using cryogenic fuels.
The said report said the said venting appeared to start at around 3:30 pm CT. In addition, fueling later reportedly results in Starship to "vent gases out of its top," indicating launch could take place within minutes.
Another Attempt to Launch
SpaceX could attempt again today or tomorrow at around the same time if any glitches thwart the launch. Poor weather, a technical hiccup, or a boat entering the danger zone of the launch are new challenges for Starship and could result in delays.
The aerospace company is taking a speedy yet incremental approach to proving the core systems of Starship are functioning as designed, making twists where the system requires work, and returning to the launchpad for more trials.
The test flight this week is a major step in seeing if SN8 can endure the severities of higher altitudes, faster speeds, and maneuvers. Lastly, if all goes well, this model will lift off the pad and disappear from view.
Check out more news and information SpaceX on Science Times.
