SpaceX Prepares For Third Starship Launch As Early As Next Week

SpaceX wrote on its website and social media platform X that the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle’s third flight could be as soon as next Thursday. 

The company said, “The third flight test of Starship could launch as soon as March 14, pending regulatory approval.”

The third flight test of Starship could launch as soon as March 14, pending regulatory approval → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK pic.twitter.com/yHqoWFSKdY

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 6, 2024

Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration closed an investigation into the second flight, which paved the way for the third flight. However, a launch license would need to be obtained first. 

The third flight is set to follow a different track than the first two. It shows the Starship completing an orbit before re-entry and splashing down near Hawaii approximately 90 minutes after launch from the Starbase complex in South Texas. 

More from SpaceX about the third launch:

The third flight test aims to build on what we’ve learned from previous flights while attempting a number of ambitious objectives, including the successful ascent burn of both stages, opening and closing Starship’s payload door, a propellant transfer demonstration during the upper stage’s coast phase, the first ever re-light of a Raptor engine while in space, and a controlled reentry of Starship. It will also fly a new trajectory, with Starship targeted to splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This new flight path enables us to attempt new techniques like in-space engine burns while maximizing public safety.

Earlier this week, Elon Musk posted on X: “Starship Flight 3 preparing for launch.” 

Starship Flight 3 preparing for launch https://t.co/nBNIIKuzGI

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 4, 2024

Remember, a launch license is key before blastoff.