Elon Musk Sets New Goal for Massive Starship Rocket

The SpaceX CEO wants the fourth test flight of Starship to end in the spacecraft’s safe recovery on Earth, a feat that has thus far eluded the company.

Jack Daleo

Friday, March 29, 2024 at 03:38 PM ET

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SpaceX performs a static fire test on one of the Starship upper stage’s six Raptor engines. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX is preparing for Starship's fourth integrated test flight (IFT-4), with the primary goal of the spacecraft surviving atmospheric reentry.
The previous third test flight was the most successful yet, achieving orbit, a propellant transfer demonstration, and payload door operation before being lost during reentry.
IFT-4 could launch as early as May, pending FAA clearance, aiming to be the first time both Starship and its Super Heavy booster return to Earth in two pieces.

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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has hinted at the goals for the next integrated test flight of the company’s Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster, which together form the largest and most powerful spacecraft ever built.

Starship’s next mission, IFT-4, will be the massive rocket’s fourth since it made its maiden voyage in April 2023. The spacecraft launched for the third time in March, but it was also grounded by the FAA for a third time after SpaceX was unable to recover the rocket and booster when they reentered the atmosphere.