Speaking to scientist yesterday , SpaceX CEO Elon Musk offered an update on the Starship programme and how the company plans to execute around a dozen launches of the gigantic rocket next year — the first of which could follow as early as January .
Musk spoke on November 17 during a joint practical meeting of the National Academies of Sciences ’ Space Studies Board and the Board on Physics and Astronomy . The primary subject at helping hand was Starship , but the 60 minutes - long conversation tramp to such subject as existential risks , solar power , and planetary protection . Musk ’s 18 - calendar month - one-time Logos , X Æ A - dozen , made a abbreviated but lovely cameo appearance .
“ We ’re close-fitting to our initial orbital launch , ” with hopes of perform the maiden flight of stairs of Starship “ in January or perhaps February , ” state Musk . The plan is to launch the Super Heavy Booster 4 and Starship prototype SN20 from SpaceX ’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica , Texas . Whenstackedtogether , these two reusable stage produce a megarocket that give 394 feet ( 120 meters ) high , make it the magniloquent rocket ever build . The upper stage has already gone through multiple tests , including one in May when the SN15 prototype manage to perform asuccessful landing .
Conceptual image of a Starship launch involving both stages of the reuseable system.Image: SpaceX
Musk was quick to snappishness arithmetic mean , saying Starship in all likelihood wo n’t reach celestial orbit during its first attempt to do so . “ There ’s a lot of risk associated with this first launching , so I would not say that it is probable to be successful , but I remember we ’ll make a lot of progress , ” he articulate , add together that “ I ’m confident we ’ll get [ to orbit ] next class , and we intend to have a high flight of stairs rate next yr . ” SpaceX could attempt 12 Starship launches in 2022 , or “ maybe more , ” say Musk .
For thefirst orbital testof a bosomy Starship , the skyrocket will enter Earth field but fill in less than a full revolution of Earth . The Super Heavy component will splash down in the Gulf of Mexico , while the upper stage will splash down some 62 mi ( 100 kilometer ) off the northwesterly coast of Kauai , Hawaii .
Starship is designed to transfer lading and passenger to Earth orbit , the Moon , Mars , and possibly beyond . “ Ultimately , spaceship is designed to be a generalized transport mechanics for the greater solar system , ” said Musk . The SpaceX founder has his passel set on using Starship to colonize Mars . “ I think , in order for life to become multiplanetary , we ’ll postulate peradventure 1,000 ship or something like that , ” he allege .
Test-fire of six Raptor engines on the Starship SN20 rocket prototype, 20 April 2025.Photo: SpaceX
March aside , SpaceX postulate to manifest the vehicle as being fit for journeys to the Moon . Indeed , there ’s a stack twit on these upcoming test of the system , as it ’s the spacecraft slated to set ashore NASA cosmonaut on the Moonpossibly as early as 2025 .
Both Starship stages apply Raptor engines , but “ engine build rate is currently the biggest constraint on how many vehicles we can make , ” said Musk . The current contour of the Super Heavy requires the habit of 29 Raptor engines , but Musk say it ’ll eventually need 33 . Starship will use six Raptors , bringing the amount to 39 . That ’s a lot , so SpaceX is build a factory in McGregor , Texas , to “ make lots of Starships and make lots of engines in latitude , ” Musk said .
Musk is hoping to use Starship for operational mission as ahead of time as 2023 . SpaceX intends to “ complete the test flight programme next year , which means that it ’s probably quick for valuable payload — not for testing … but actual real payloads — in 2023 , so quite before long . ”
SpaceX , it needs to be enjoin , still demand regulative approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to set up the two - stage Starship . The FAA is currentlyreviewingpublic refuge subject , home security concerns , and possible environmental impact , among other things . The governor is now evaluating G of pen and oral input received during public hearings , which closed on November 1 . A decision is expected on December 31 , in which the FAA will either decide to grant a license or initiate an extensive environmental impact assessment , which could stimulate considerable time lag .
spaceship was not the only point up for discussion on Wednesday . When asked about potential existential peril face world , Musk reiterated his concern over AI ’s voltage to do us harm ( he ’s not wrong ) . He listed nuclear armageddon , declining birth rates , future pandemics , and religious extremism as other threats . On the subject of energy , Musk said ground - based solar farms , and notspace - based solar power , should be enough to cope with next demand . As for mankind contaminating Mars with Earth ’s microbe , Musk suppose it ’s probably inevitable , especially given plans to colonize the Red Planet . Still , we should “ hold ” human bodily process “ to at least one spot ” and then not spread our microbes all around the Red Planet , he append .
SpaceX is n’t the only group testing megarockets next year . NASA’sSpace Launch Systemcould launch as early on as February 12 , 2022 . Both rockets are think to play a character in the Artemis programme to once again send humans to the Moon .
More : SpaceX put down Out Plan for First Starship Orbital Test Flight .
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