SpaceX has just received the most important permission it has been waiting for in recent months. After an eighth Starship test on March 7, the aerospace company was waiting for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to give it the green light to accelerate the number of launches. Now it has received it. By going from 5 to 25 launches per year, SpaceX's efforts in testing and developing its 123-meter-tall, 9-meter-diameter megarocket will intensify.
The last few days have been busy with news regarding Starship and SpaceX, as its launch and production base, "Starbase," has just been granted city status—giving it much more power over space planning, the closure of nearby beaches, and the construction of new buildings. Space will be needed to accommodate 25 launches of Starship and its Super Heavy launcher. The latter must also return to the launch pad thanks to the articulated arm "Mechazilla".
The missions of the Starship rocket
On three occasions, SpaceX has demonstrated that the first stage of the rocket can return to its launch pad, like a Falcon 9 (with the only difference being that it does not come directly to land on the ground, but is caught by two "wands" installed on the launch tower and closing on Super Heavy upon its return controlled by its engines. From now on, the rocket tests consist of carrying out the same approach and the same landing for the Starship vessel (after a full revolution around the globe).
Another mission will consist of bringing together two Starship in orbit, to conduct a refueling test in space. Indeed, in addition to its manned Starships, SpaceX is developing Starships that serve only as fuel tanks. Their role will one day be to refuel Starships for distant missions – obviously, the objective being Mars. Taking into account the first two flights of the year (Starship 7 and 8) between January and March, there are now 23 possible launches this year.
SpaceX will not yet be able to achieve such a frequency, as it will now need to obtain the production capacities necessary for such a pace. The ninth test flight is being prepared, however, with the first static tests soon. To get people talking, the mission will have to try not to end up in a real fireworks display (or shower of debris) as was the case with its first two launches of the year.
Source: Space.com
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