SpaceX recently had its first earnings call since its record breaking IPO. Now, CEO Elon Musk has spoken about the launch date of Starship 14 and it’s much sooner than you think. Starship 14 will mark the first orbital launch for the firm, which is why many will follow its journey closely.
SpaceX Starship 14 Update: Elon Musk’s Recent Statement
Elon Musk, the CEO and founder of spaceflight firm SpaceX recently spoke about the ambitious timeline he wants to achieve for the launch of SpaceX’s Starship 14. According to Musk, the current aim is to launch its flight test in late August and also catch it. However, the launch date is subject to external factors like the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
SpaceX Starship 14 Update: Aim of Next Flight Test
According to Elon Musk, the flight test of SpaceX’s starship 14 will be highly ambitious. The most notable one is to follow an orbital launch, rather than a sub orbital one with the upcoming flight test.
Then, the team will attempt to catch the 50-metre-tall upper Starship spacecraft out of mid-air using the “Mechazilla” launch tower’s mechanical chopstick arms at Starbase, Texas, upon its return from space.
Another aim will be to test the viability of Starship 14 as a mode of cargo transport. This means that for the first time ever, Starship will not fly empty. The team aims to open its payload bay doors in orbit and successfully deploy the first batch of next-generation Version 3 (V3) Starlink satellites.
SpaceX Starship 14 Update: When Will Launch Date Be Confirmed?
To achieve the tentative launch window of late August, the SpaceX team needs to complete some key milestones – successful static fire tests to prove the flight readiness of the vehicle hardware at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas and the final regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Historically, SpaceX officially announces the exact, locked-in launch date and opens its public livestream within 24 to 48 hours of receiving this FAA approval.
If everything goes as planned without any delays, the official date confirmation will likely be shared by Mid August.
