SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship rocket from Boca Chica, Texas, later today, April 17th (New Scientist). The Starship is said to be the most powerful rocket ever built (The Verge) and has a booster with 33 first-stage engines, which will provide nearly twice the thrust of NASA’s SLS moon (The Washington Post). The launch is expected to take place at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT) (Space.com) and will be broadcast live online for free (Space.com).
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, has set low expectations for the launch and hopes that they won’t blow up the launchpad (The New York Times). Starship is the largest rocket ever built, and Musk hopes that it will one day take people to the moon and Mars (NPR). However, the rocket has to fly successfully first (NPR).
SpaceX has a 150-minute window to launch the Starship SN24 spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket on April 17 (Space.com). The launch will mark the first orbital test flight for SpaceX’s new Starship reusable spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster rocket (The Verge). Musk has said that “excitement guaranteed” after his company announced the launch, even though he is not sure if it will be a success (Sky News).
For those interested in watching the launch live, it will be broadcast online for free starting at 8:15 a.m. EDT, with liftoff set for 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT) (Space.com). SpaceX enthusiasts and space enthusiasts alike will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this historic launch.
