Tag: Starbase
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Second flight of Starship closing in on potential November launch
The flight of Booster 9 and Ship 25 is now in the final stage of preparations, focused on regulatory approval that will allow SpaceX to set a launch date. That target is currently tracking mid-November as the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) works on the final element of the FAA’s launch license via an updated…
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SpaceX gearing up for a possible WDR as it waits for regulatory approval
While Ship 26 started its engine testing campaign, SpaceX looks to be gearing up for a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) for Booster 9 and Ship 25. Related notices have been posted for the coming week, as SpaceX returned to a full stack for the next Starship to launch – as soon as November, pending regulatory…
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SpaceX waiting for FAA to approve launch licence for Starship’s second flight
With the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) having closed the mishap investigation into the anomaly during the first Integrated Flight Test of Starship, SpaceX is waiting for its launch license for the second test flight of the world’s most powerful rocket. However, that FAA process is clearly going to take the test launch into next month…
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FAA says SpaceX has more to do before Starship can fly again
Sunday update: Elon Musk, SpaceX’s founder and CEO, posted Sunday on his social media platform X that the company has completed 57 corrective actions required before the second integrated test flight of the Starship rocket. Six more corrective actions will be implemented before future missions. This story has been updated to add Musk’s statement. The Federal…
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SpaceX stacks Ship 25 and Booster 9, prepares for flight
SpaceX has rolled out Ship 25 to the launch site and stacked it on top of Super Heavy Booster 9, bringing back a fully stacked Starship rocket to Starbase since April 20. Several important additions have been made to Ship 25 ahead of this stacking and should make the vehicle ready for flight. SpaceX now…
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Booster 9 conducts pre-flight static fire test
SpaceX’s Super Heavy Booster 9 prototype has completed its pre-launch static fire test. This follows roughly two weeks after its first static fire attempt that ended prematurely at only half the expected duration. Work continues in parallel at Starbase to prepare Ship 25 for flight, which could occur in the next week or two, pending…
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Starship Update: Booster 9 wearing a crown, construction, and HLS test article
Preparations are taking place at Starbase for the upcoming second Starship test flight, with Booster 9 expected to return to the launch site in the coming days following the installation of its hot staging ring. Future vehicles are also being prepared for flight. At the same time, long-term aspirations are being worked on, with an…
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Let the review begin—SpaceX takes another step toward launching Starship again
The Federal Aviation Administration is now reviewing a mishap investigation report submitted by SpaceX regarding the company’s April test flight of its giant Starship rocket, a spokesperson for the regulatory agency said Tuesday. The milestone is noteworthy because it signals SpaceX has completed its investigation into the Starship test launch on April 20, which ended…
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Booster 9 removed from launch site ahead of hot stage ring tests
After the Static Fire of what appears to be 29 Raptor engines below Booster 9, SpaceX rolled back the first stage of the next flight test to the production site. Meanwhile, the hot staging extension is still at the Masseys test site as the company gets ready to test the most significant modification between flights…
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Starship Booster 9 and launch infrastructure moving into critical testing phase
After last week’s testing of Booster 9, the water deluge system, and other important activity at Starbase, the Starship program is now moving into a critical testing phase where Booster 9 conducted a static test firing of the Raptor engines with the water deluge in use. The Spin Prime test requirement – completed on Friday…