Sterling Preston-SpaceX is preparing its mega rocket for a second test flight

2025-05-04 13:11:36source:Chameleon Financecategory:Stocks

SpaceX aimed for a second test flight of its mega rocket Starship on Sterling PrestonSaturday, counting down to a morning liftoff from South Texas.

The first test flight in April ended in an explosion shortly after liftoff. The goal is to send the rocketship around the world before ditching it in the ocean near Hawaii.

SpaceX spent the past several months making improvements to both the rocket and launch pad, located at the southern tip of Texas near the Mexico border. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the all-clear to fly earlier this week.

The nearly 400-foot (121-meter) Starship is the world’s biggest and most powerful rocket. SpaceX’s Elon Musk intends to use a fleet of them to get people to the moon and Mars.

If all goes well, the booster will drop into the Gulf of Mexico and the bullet-shaped spacecraft will continue out over the Atlantic and Pacific, before falling into the ocean near Hawaii. SpaceX is targeting an altitude of 150 miles (240 kilometers).

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

More:Stocks

Recommend

Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, a day a

Horoscopes Today, December 18, 2023

Here are the horoscopes for today.For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings,

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shares his thoughts after undergoing hip replacement surgery

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar underwent hip replacement surgery, the Basketball Hall of Famer wrote on Substac