SpaceX is planning the 12th launch this month of its gigantic Starship rocket, which consists of the first stage Super Heavy booster and the upper stage ship.
While much has been left in limbo with each of its 11 previous test flights, the first of which took place in April 2023, the next launch is a big deal for the Elon Musk-led space company.
The mission is a new version of the rocket, the design of which is closely based on the one intended for future flights to the Moon and possibly even Mars.
Version 3 of Starship includes structural improvements, more powerful engines and a number of lessons learned from previous mishaps and failures. The entire vehicle is also slightly higher at 124.4 meters compared to 123.3 meters and has significantly larger grid fins for better flight control.
The new design represents a shift from experimental prototype to something closer to an operational system, with the redesigned rocket becoming the first spacecraft capable of orbital flight.
The goals of the upcoming 12th flight include demonstrating structural and systems improvements throughout the vehicle, validating the performance of the latest Raptor engines, conducting a clean stage separation and controlled ascent profile, and collecting important data on booster recovery systems that will bring the rocket closer to routine reuse.
The spacecraft doesn’t need to complete a perfect flight, but it does need to convince NASA and its partners that progress is accelerating.
That’s because rival space company Blue Origin, led by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is knocking on the door.
Blue Origin is also competing for NASA contracts and could even provide the spaceflight hardware for the recently revamped Artemis III mission in low Earth orbit in 2027, putting additional pressure on SpaceX to demonstrate measurable progress with the spacecraft.
SpaceX currently has the contract for the Artemis III and Artemis IV missions (the latter will potentially return astronauts to the Moon in 2028), but if Starship development stalls, Blue Origin could step in.
Clearly there’s a lot to gain, although it’s worth noting that Blue Origin has far less flight experience with its New Glenn rocket and its untested Blue Moon lander, so SpaceX is well-positioned to prove Starship’s reliability first.
SpaceX has not yet announced a specific target date for the Starship’s 12th flight. We’ll share news about it as soon as we know.
