SpaceX Cleared to Launch Starship for the Seventh Time
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on December 17 granted SpaceX permission for the seventh test launch of the giant Starship rocket. The static test of its 33 Raptor engines took place last week.
The launch is scheduled for early morning on January 11, 2025, from a site in Texas. This time, new prototypes will be used: the upper stage of Ship 33 and the booster Super Heavy 14.
This time, SpaceX plans to try again to catch the booster on return. The Starship will end its flight with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Particular attention will be paid to the ship’s thermal protection, which showed signs of degradation in previous tests.
SpaceX aims to conduct up to 24 Starship test flights in 2025. At least eight tests will be needed to complete the mission to refuel the carrier ship that will go to the moon. In 2026, the company’s CEO Elon Musk hopes to send the first Starship to Mars.
