SpaceX Starship Will Fly Again in 3-5 Weeks, Elon Musk Predicts

Musk’s timeline would place Starship’s fourth orbital test flight sometime in June, but SpaceX will need to wait for the FAA to wrap up its investigation.

Jack Daleo

Monday, May 13, 2024 at 05:09 PM ET

Verified

SpaceX over the weekend shared images of the company’s Super Heavy booster returning to the Starbase launchpad in Boca Chica, Texas, on social media platform X. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk anticipates Starship's fourth test flight (IFT-4) will launch in June, after the rocket was spotted moving back to its Boca Chica launchpad.
The Starship has been grounded since March as the FAA conducts a mishap investigation into its third uncrewed orbital test flight.
Despite SpaceX's mixed track record with launch predictions, the shortening duration of FAA investigations for improved test flights makes a June launch feasible.
A primary goal for IFT-4 is for Starship to survive atmospheric reentry, a critical step towards its designed reusability.

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SpaceX’s Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever constructed, will fly again in June, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk predicted over the weekend.

The company’s massive rocket and Super Heavy booster, which when stacked together stand nearly 400 feet tall, have been grounded since March as the FAA conducts a mishap investigation into Starship’s third uncrewed orbital test flight.