SpaceX team rehearsing third Starship launch at Starbase [Video]

SpaceX today shared rehearsal session details of the stacking and de-stacking of the Starship vehicle ahead of the third full-fledged launch. Stacking is the process of assembling Starship spacecraft on top of the Super Heavy Booster rocket. Once assembled, the booster rocket becomes the first stage and Starship second.

A timelapse clip posted on social media site X shows the orbital launch tower catching and placing Starship spacecraft over a Super Heavy Booster.

Stacking the world’s tallest and most powerful launch vehicle at Starbase pic.twitter.com/1Ric3lISMG

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 13, 2024

Over the past week, Starship and Super Heavy Booster stage rolled out on the launch site at Starbase. These two are sitting over an orbital launch pad and waiting for the next phase of engine ignition and other pre-flight tests.

This third flight test is important for the rocket-making company and it is aiming for orbit. The past two missions flown in April and November last year worked pretty well to achieve ground clearance and stage separation.

Reaching the orbit is a big challenge for this huge rocket, if this happens, SpaceX may also have a shot to perform an in-orbit rocket fuel transfer test requested by NASA.

Starship is a 121-meter integrated flight that could load up to 100 metric tonnes of fully reusable and 250 tonnes of expendable payload. The booster is packed with 33 Raptor engines that could generate 7,590 tf of thrust during the liftoff.

Starship is being stacked on top of Super Heavy Booster Rocket (Credit – SpaceX)

Launch Date:

SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk said yesterday that a potential test launch of this new Starship vehicle could happen in the next three weeks. Before that, SpaceX would require approval Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).