SpaceX’s Starship rocket is poised to make a comeback as early as next month, with the company currently seeking approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its third flight. According to SpaceX Vice President of Customer Operations and Integration Jessica Jensen, the company aims to be ready for flight in January from a hardware readiness perspective. However, she expects FAA approval to be granted in February, suggesting that the actual launch may occur in February 2024.
In a recent media teleconference, the off-Earth propellant transfer for the Artemis 3 mission was extensively discussed. Starship, which has been selected by NASA as the crewed lander for Artemis 3, would require approximately 10 refueling flights in orbit before continuing its journey to the moon. It is important to note that the exact number of refueling flights may vary based on tests conducted to assess the propellant transfer capability.
Jensen emphasized that the upcoming third test flight of Starship will not include the on-orbit ship-to-ship propellant transfer necessary for Artemis 3. NASA’s plan includes conducting an uncrewed landing test on the moon using Starship prior to Artemis 3. The space agency has set targets of September 2025 for the crewed Artemis 2 mission and September 2026 for Artemis 3. However, considering the timelines associated with Starship flight and propellant transfer tests, achieving these targets appears increasingly ambitious.
SpaceX’s Starship rocket, known for its futuristic design and ambitious goals, has been drawing significant attention. The company’s plans for interplanetary travel, including crewed missions to Mars, have captivated the public’s imagination. As Starship gears up for its next flight, space enthusiasts eagerly await the future developments that could pave the way for human exploration of the moon and beyond. Keep an eye out for updates on Female Arts as SpaceX and NASA work towards their shared goal of advancing space exploration.
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