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SpaceX has announced that its Starship rocket is ready for its fifth test flight, pending regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The announcement, made on August 8, via social media, aims to test a new recovery technique, where mechanical arms will catch the Super Heavy booster on the launch tower as it returns to Earth. This approach is expected to enhance the rocket’s reusability and efficiency, allowing for quicker refurbishments and subsequent launches. This follows the successful return of its fourth space flight.
SpaceX’s ambitious Starship program has faced several challenges, with multiple test flights experiencing failures. Its first flight in April 2023 failed as several engines malfunctioned, causing the rocket to spin out of control and explode. The launch pad was severely damaged, resulting in a grounding by the FAA for safety and environmental scrutiny.
In another attempt for the same Starship launch in November 2023, the rocket exploded minutes after reaching space. While it successfully lifted off and separated from its booster, contact was lost mid-flight, leading to the activation of the self-destruct system.
The fourth test flight which was conducted in June was the most successful to date, with both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft completing successful landings.
In parallel with the Starship program, SpaceX has continued its Falcon 9 launches. Recently, a Falcon 9 rocket was launched to enhance the Starlink satellite constellation, adding 23 more satellites to orbit. This expansion is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to provide global internet coverage through its Starlink project.
Despite mishaps, the upcoming flight is a huge step toward refining the technology necessary for future missions, including NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 Moon mission in 1972.
