The largest and most powerful spacecraft ever built is about to be sent into space by SpaceX. Starship is set to lift off from Starbase in Cameron County, Texas, on Monday morning, with its first attempt at orbiting Earth.
The vehicle will soar over 170 miles above Earth. It will mark the first occasion SpaceX employs Starship for deploying Starlink satellites. The firm will attach 26 Starlinks to the network that is already circling the globe.
The launch was delayed by 31 minutes. The new target time is 8:46 a.m. ET/7:46 a.m. CT, with the SpaceX stream starting at 8:08 a.m. ET/7:08 a.m. CT. The mission is expected to last 10 hours, with six orbits around the Earth.
The Flight Test 14 Launch
Like earlier Starship missions, the launch begins with the spacecraft taking off from Starbase atop the Super Heavy booster. After separation, the booster makes a descent burn and lands in the Gulf.
About 25 minutes into the mission, Starship fires one of its Raptor sea-level engines and performs a burn that helps it orbit Earth for the first time. SpaceX said that during the launch out of Earth’s atmosphere and the pre-orbit burn, measures are in place to bring Starship back to Earth if problems arise.
Deploying the Satellites
The Starlink satellites are placed into orbit for ongoing use about 34 minutes into the mission, when Starship deploys them for the first time. Assuming everything proceeds according to plan, this will mark the first income-producing mission for Starship.
SpaceX has warned that if a technical or mechanical problem forces the flight to end early, the splashdown location might shift. Since Starship is not built to touch down in cold ocean water, the company said an explosion during splashdown could happen, and it would not signal a failed mission.
“An explosion during splashdown may take place, and that would not be an indication of an unsuccessful mission.”
What Could Go Wrong
There is real danger involved with the mission, and the company has put safeguards into place, so that the spacecraft can be brought down should any difficulties occur during the launch.
There is no fixed splashdown point for a spacecraft’s landing. Should the mission end before schedule, the touchdown site may shift accordingly. A blast at touchdown is within the realm of possibility, yet SpaceX maintains that such an event would not signal mission failure.
Why This Matters
The mission centers on sending Starlinks into orbit using a vehicle built for carrying cargo to space. That spacecraft forms part of a satellite network called Starship’s first orbital attempt is a major step for SpaceX’.
Once Starship reaches orbit, it could serve as a steady launcher for the constellation. The company has already put the vehicle through its paces, and an orbital mission would represent a major step forward.
The mission is scheduled to last 10 hours.
Key Facts Box
- Launch: Monday morning, 8:46 a.m. ET/7:46 a.m. CT (new target)
- Stream: Starts at 8:08 a.m. ET/7:08 a.m. CT
- Mission duration: 10 hours, six orbits
- Satellites deployed: 26 Starlinks
- Orbit height: More than 170 miles above Earth
- Splashdown location: Pacific Ocean, west of Chile
SpaceX faces a test of its ability to reach orbit with its first launch attempt. The challenge of attaining that height is distinct from anything before it. The whole world will be watching to see if Starship can finish the mission and put those 26 Starlinks into their assigned positions.
Source material: “Starship, world's most powerful spacecraft, to launch in attempt to orbit Earth for first time,” ABC13 Houston.
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