Takeoff is scheduled for 7pm (Brasília time) in Boca Chica, Texas
The company is scheduling the sixth launch of its vehicle for next Monday (18), with takeoff scheduled for 7pm (Brasília time) in Boca Chica, . This flight will follow the same route as the previous one, which eliminates the need for a new FAA authorization. The rocket’s first stage will separate and return to the launch pad.
The company emphasizes that the flight will depend on weather conditions. If the weather is not favorable, the mission will be redirected to a controlled landing at sea, ensuring the safety of the equipment and operation. During the mission, the second stage, known as Starship, will perform a suborbital flight, completing a partial revolution around the Earth before landing in the Indian Ocean. One of the main objectives of this launch is to fire one of the Raptor engines in space, a maneuver that has not yet been performed in previous flights. The landing is scheduled to take place during the day, unlike the last flight.
Additionally, the second stage will include experiments focused on thermal protection and operational adjustments, with the aim of evaluating the Starship’s limits during re-entry into the atmosphere. This will be the last flight of the current Starship model, which will undergo significant improvements from the seventh launch onwards, such as the inclusion of redesigned front flaps and enlarged fuel tanks.
The SpaceX program needs to validate several technologies before the rocket can be used to transport astronauts to the Moon, according to NASA’s plans for the Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for the end of 2026. The following year, the company intends to use the Starship for orbital launches and second stage recovery, technologies that are essential for returning to the lunar surface.
*Report produced with the help of AI
Posted by Luisa dos Santos
