SpaceX’s Starship stands on the pad in Boca Chica, TX looking ready to fly. Photo: Richard Gallagher/FMN
After a successful rehearsal that put nearly all of SpaceX’s pre-flight systems for the Starship rocket to the test, the long-awaited Starship flight might be just around the corner. Recent developments have stirred excitement and speculation as the pace quickens for the Starship’s apparent upcoming launch.
The first sign came from the Coast Guard, which issued a notice to mariners warning of a potential rocket launch in Boca Chica, Texas during the first week of November. While this notice alone doesn’t guarantee a test timeline, it was soon followed by a comprehensive test by SpaceX.
Website records indicate the NASA WB-57 aircraft has been reserved for an eight-day period starting from November 3rd to the 10th. This NASA aircraft is known for its high-altitude reconnaissance capabilities, including infrared imaging. The aircraft is frequently used to monitor crew returns on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA’s interest in observing the Starship is due to its selection as the human landing system for the Artemis program, adding to the anticipation of an imminent launch.
The updated Coast Guard notice provided an extended timeframe for launch activities in Boca Chica. While it doesn’t explicitly mention a SpaceX rocket launch, it’s worth noting that SpaceX is the sole rocket-launching entity at this site, leaving little doubt about the tentative timelines being set behind the scenes. The notice warns mariners of potential hazards from rocket launch activities, including free-falling debris and descending vehicles or vehicle components. It indicates placeholders will be in effect from November 1st until “conditions” permit a launch, with the potential hazards coming into play around November 6th.
The water deluge system has posed one of the most significant challenges for the second Starship orbital test flight. SpaceX began rebuilding the launch pad and installing the water system within months of an April launch that all but destroyed the pad. SpaceX conducted a water deluge system test on the launch pad following yesterday’s tanking and Starship testing. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) officials were reported to have been present during the test, assessing the impact of the water deluge system on the surrounding area. It has been speculated that FWS environmental studies have been a major source of delays in another Starship launch attempt.
As Space X awaits launch clearance from the FAA, they are already testing a second-stage prototype of the Starship on the ground as part of their collaboration with NASA to develop a lunar landing system.
