As we begin a new year, we are here to summarize the updates on the most anticipated rocket launch of 2023. We all have a lot of questions regarding the first orbital launch of SpaceX’s Starship: When will it be? Where will it be? What will be Starship’s configuration?
We will go through all of these in the first part of the article; and, in the second part, we will explain why, in 2022, we had no Starship launches and what SpaceX did in the month since our last update: “SpaceX’s Starship Project“. If you want to know more about the rocket Starship and its technical aspects, we have written the article “SLS vs Starship” and “Falcon Heavy vs Starship“. Go ahead, take a look at them and, then, come back here!
First orbital Launch
In 2023 we are awaiting the maiden flights of many rockets; but, without a doubt, the most awaited one is the first orbital launch of Starship. In the last years, we have seen lots of tests; from Starhopper to the Ship SN15. We have witnessed explosions and soft landings, so… we have sky-high expectations!
We have a real shot at late February. March launch attempt appears highly likely
Elon Musk on Twitter, Jan 8th 2023
Before the maiden launch, however, SpaceX must overcome technical and regulatory obstacles. So, the prediction above will probably not be the real launch window. Nevertheless, we hope and think that Starship will fly before the first half of the year. At the moment of writing the Ship 24 is atop the Booster B7 at Boca Chica; the Starship system leans on a stand called Orbital Launch Mount (OLM), designed to test the Super Heavy booster.
From the technical side, SpaceX has to do the final tests: the cryogenic test, the Wet Dress Rehearsal of the combined vehicle, the static fire of Super Heavy with all 33 engines, and static fire Ship 24 and B7. Aside from those tests, they will have to lay the thermal tiles on Ship 24, and the FAA will have to release the launch permit.
The most important test for understanding when the maiden launch will be is, undoubtedly, the static fire one on the 33 engines of Super Heavy. After this test, we will have a clearer picture of Starship’s development.
Launch Journey
What will the journey of the first Starship system be? Well, after the blast-off from Starbase of Ship 24 atop of the Super Heavy B7, and after the separation, the booster will return for a landing on a platform in the Gulf of Mexico. This part will be different in the future mission, since the booster will probably come back to the pad tower, which will catch it with its “arms”.
Statship, after the separation from Super Heavy, will continue on for a quick trip to orbit, and, then, it will splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii.
After this first orbital launch, if everything goes well, the Ship25 and the Booster 8 are already prepared to be launched this year!
What has happened since our last update?
Last we talked about SpaceX’s Starship was in July 2022. Since that day many updates have come. Firstly, SpaceX has moved on with the following tests:
- Static Fire Test on Ship 24 with one single Raptor optimized for atmospheric flight;
- a dozen different tests on static fire;
- Ignition of six engines, which was a failed test with damages;
- 28 Cryogenic Temperature tests;
During these months, we have not seen launches. That is because SpaceX has worked on the so-called Stage 0. Let’s see what we mean with Stage 0!
Stage 0
The Stage 0 is all the infrastructures, the pads, and the factories needed to produce, test, and launch a rocket. In these months, indeed, SpaceX has created a new tank farm; the previous Methane tank was not up to standards. They completed the Starfactory and the MegaBay. SpaceX also bought a new plot of land for testing future prototypes.
Furthermore, after the explosion due to the ignition of Booster B7’s propellant in July, SpaceX made improvements on the pad’s fire extinguishing system.
MechaZilla
First of all, what is MechaZilla? “MechaZilla” is the name Elon Musk gave to the pad tower of Starship. It is more than 140m tall and will not only be a simple pad tower. The major task of MechaZilla will be to catch Super Heavy during its return to Earth. It is equipped with two huge arms designed to do just this.
The second question is, undoubtedly: Why this name? This is a reference to the 1974 film “Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla”; in fact, Elon Musk said that if it had two legs, it would be very similar.
Final curiosity on MechaZilla: we have talked about this tower as if there were just one of them; instead, there are already two MechaZilla towers: the first one, as expected, is in Boca Chica, where at this moment Ship 24 and Booster B7 are standing; the second, meanwhile, is in Cape Canaveral. In the plans of SpaceX, there is the construction of another MechaZilla in Cape Canaveral, so we will update you with any other information!
Another important update is the construction of B9, the first prototype of Super Heavy with electro-mechanical actuators. Those actuators have been introduced to direct the thrust. SpaceX has started the tests on this booster with liquid Nitrogen in the tanks; firstly, in the Oxygen tank and, secondly, in the Methane tank.
NASA together with SpaceX: Starship to the Moon
The collaboration between NASA and SpaceX has been going full steam ahead for many years. For example, they worked together on the Dragon missions, which are launches to bring astronauts and supplies to the ISS. They also have an agreement for the development of the Lunar Lander for the Artemis Program; if you want to know more about the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX, you can let us know down in the Chatbox!
This partnership made another leap forward in November. NASA has selected Starship as one of the vehicles for the Artemis program: SpaceX will support, first, the second human landing on the mission Artemis IV and, then, the docking with the Gateway for lunar and deep-space explorations.
That is it for this brief update on SpaceX’s Starship. You can stay updated on the maiden launch date by checking the Starship Launch Schedule.
I leave you to Ascanio with a Science Capsule next Wednesday, and see you next month with a new Technical Capsule!
