Sat Oct 12 12:40:00 UTC 2024: ## SpaceX’s Starship Set for Another Test Launch This Weekend
**Boca Chica, Texas -** SpaceX is gearing up for another test launch of its massive Starship megarocket, with liftoff scheduled for no earlier than 8 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 13th, pending final FAA approval. This will be the fifth flight test for Starship, designated as Starship Flight 5.
This mission will attempt to build on the success of Starship Flight 4, which saw the rocket reach space and its Super Heavy booster successfully splash down in the Gulf of Mexico. For Flight 5, SpaceX aims to have the Starship vehicle target a splashdown site in the Indian Ocean. The mission’s most ambitious goal, however, is the attempted capture of the Super Heavy booster back at the launch pad.
SpaceX plans to use its massive Mechazilla launch pad structure to catch the booster after its descent. This system is designed to allow quick turnarounds for future Starship Super Heavy boosters.
The upcoming launch comes after several delays caused by FAA reviews and proposed fines related to environmental concerns surrounding Starship’s water deluge system. SpaceX has expressed frustration with these delays, stating that the process takes longer than designing and building the rocket itself.
Starship is the world’s tallest and most powerful rocket, measuring 400 feet tall. It’s intended to be fully reusable, and has been chosen by NASA as the lunar lander for its Artemis 3 mission, which aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2026.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has expressed his desire to see Starship used for a variety of missions, including transporting passengers to Mars.
The launch of Starship Flight 5 will be livestreamed on SpaceX’s website.
First Piper 