SpaceX is accelerating its movement towards increasing the frequency of test launches of the heavy first stages of Super Heavy and Starship ships. Less than two weeks have passed since the triumphant fifth test flight, during which the Super Heavy stage was picked up by the service truss mechanisms on the first attempt, and the company has already rolled out the new Super Heavy to the test site for Starship’s sixth test flight.
Image source: Spacex
The date of the sixth test launch of the Super Heavy rocket and Starship remains unknown. The company hopes to complete it as quickly as possible and there are prerequisites for this. At a minimum, this is an accident-free fifth test flight that completed all the tasks assigned to it. The Super Heavy stage was picked up by Mechazilla’s chopsticks, and the Starship splashed down gently into the waters of the Indian Ocean.
The US space authorities, represented by NASA representatives, are more interested in the success of the Starship project than anyone else. This SpaceX ship is key to returning Americans to the Moon in the fall of 2026 or later. It must deliver a descent module into lunar orbit, where NASA astronauts will then move from the Orion spacecraft. The ship and crew should be delivered to lunar orbit by the SLS rocket. Although she has already made her first flight with Orion in unmanned mode, she faces no less difficulties than with the still unknown Starship. Elon Musk’s company is behaving bolder and taking more risks on its way to the Moon. Increasing the frequency of Super Heavy and Starship launches is one of the elements that will ensure the achievement of the cherished goal.