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

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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:

Elon Musk predicts SpaceX's Starship will conduct its fourth test flight (IFT-4) in June, estimating a 3-5 week timeline.
The Starship has been grounded since March due to an FAA mishap investigation following its third uncrewed orbital test flight.
Despite SpaceX's mixed track record with launch predictions, the article suggests a June launch is feasible as FAA investigation times have shortened and the rocket is moving to the launchpad.
A primary goal for the upcoming IFT-4 is for Starship to successfully survive atmospheric reentry, which is crucial for its reusability design.

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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.