The spacecraft, the world’s most powerful launch vehicle, could lift off on Friday for a new test

More than six months after the spacecraft’s first flight, in which its fate became known, a second launch appears imminent. At Starbase SpaceXSpaceXAnd from here rocketrocket The Colossus will take off, and we’re ready to ignite the launcher’s powerful engines. Only the flight permit is missing. We’ll explain it to you.

Awaiting the results of the environmental review

According to different sites InternetInternet In the United States, the regulatory challenges surrounding spacecraft flight now focus primarily on completing environmental review, which is currently the responsibility of the Aquatic Life Protection and Conservation Service. WildlifeWildlife (Foss). This agency evaluates modifications to the rocket, infrastructure, and the ground portion of the spacecraft. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees private launches in the United States, announced that it had completed a safety review of the Super Heavy and Starship vehicles, but was still waiting for the FWS report before deciding whether to authorize the spacecraft to return to space. A flight.

Many species are threatened or endangered

To understand the position of the service responsible for protecting life in aquatic and wildlife environments, which has the wrong role in delaying the return of the giant rocket to flight, you need to know that SpaceX’s launch base, Starbase, is surrounded by virgin trees. Spaces that serve as habitats and shelter spaces for endangered animals such as the red knot, and jaguarondijaguarondipopulationThe wild catThe wild cat And the Sea turtlesSea turtlesincluding Kemp RidleyWhich nests on the beaches of Boca Chica, and is one of the most endangered sea turtles in the world. One of these habitats has been classified as essential for ClassifyClassify tobirdbird Endangered piping plover.

However, launching the spacecraft constitutes a risky test flight

The spacecraft about to take off has undergone changes compared to its first test flight. Among the equipment and items involved, Elon MuskElon Musk He stressed that the system SeparationSeparation The giant rocket represents ” The most dangerous part of the trip “and warned” Don’t have very high expectations for this second trip », adopting a less optimistic tone than usual.

As planned, the mission’s flight plan will remain similar to the partially failed first attempt. After separation, the spacecraft will make a short passage through “space” at an altitude of about 250 kilometers, after an almost complete orbit around the Earth. Finally he will enterAtmosphereAtmosphere To carry out a controlled water landing in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.

SpaceX: Second spacecraft launch attempt could be made in December

Article written by Remy Dekor, published on 10/30/2023

Just five months after its Starship exploded mid-flight, SpaceX says it’s ready to launch its giant rocket again. While waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US government’s civil aviation agency, to allow the spacecraft to return to flight, the company is preparing for a second attempt that could take place in December.

A few days ago, representatives of SpaceX,AmazonAmazon Blue Origin met with several political figures and members of the Senate Space and Science Subcommittee to alert them to the operations certificatecertificate and a flight license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the federal aviation agency that regulates private launches in the United States, the duration of which slows down its space operations. Clearly, these companies do not want to escape FAA regulatory oversight, but they are demanding greater efficiency in the launch licensing process. Today, a flight permit application can take up to 135 days!

Permission to fly was granted within a few weeks

It seems they heard. Shortly after that meeting, the FAA said it was committed to issuing an opinion on authorizing the second integrated flight of Starship, well before the 135 days the certification process allows.

So, in this regulatory context, it is now understandable that SpaceX is preparing its giant rocket for a second test flight, just five months after the first, partially failed attempt. You should know that this launcher has been ready since mid-September.

Several Starship flights in 2023 and 2024

Realizing that the goal of an American crew landing on the Moon in 2025 is far-fetched, SpaceX has announced plans to conduct at least two Starship flights this year – which seems difficult to us – and several more during 2024. Although it was careful not to specify the number The target missions are in 2024, but we know that it is planning a big demonstration in 2024. Transport orbitTransport orbit of fuel between a spacecraft in a manned version (but which will not be inhabited at the moment) and a spacecraft in cargo mode.

Artemis III in focus

while NASANASA Artemis II is preparing Artemis II, which is scheduled to launch at the end of 2024, and the next mission, Artemis III, is the mission that would allow Americans to land on the moon aboard SpaceX’s Lunar Starship. but, LisaLisa Watson Morgan, Program Director Human landing system (HLS), is concerned about SpaceX’s spacecraft development timeline that could delay Americans’ return to the moon by several years!