SpaceX Eyes Monday Test Flight for its Massive Starship Rocket
The Space Launch System is the most powerful rocket ever built, designed to be safe, affordable and sustainable.
SpaceX plans to test its Starship rocket on Monday morning. The rocket is expected to take humans one day to the moon or Mars.
This is the first test of the rocket without crew. SpaceX has set a launch time of 9 a.m., but says that the schedule will likely change.
SpaceX tweeted on Sunday: 'Teams are working to complete final checks and reviews before Starship's flight test. The weather looks good for tomorrow but we will be keeping a close eye on the wind shear.
The rocket will take off from Texas, fly in orbit around a part of the Earth before splashing into the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii. According to SpaceX, the success of such a test is determined by the amount of information that can be gathered. This will help inform future development of Starship and increase the likelihood of success.
SpaceX describes Starship is a "fully reusable transport system designed to take both crew and cargo into Earth orbit, assist humanity in returning to the Moon and traveling to Mars and beyond." NASA's Artemis Program will use Starship to transport astronauts on the surface of the Moon.
Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, tweeted that the test would be a success, but excitement was guaranteed.