After two setbacks, SpaceX could try to launch massive Starship next week / Photo: RONALDO SCHEMIDT - AFP/File
-
Atletico owners negotiating with US firm Apollo over majority stake sale - reports
-
Stocks mark time with eyes on key economic data
-
Tabilo stuns Musetti for Chengdu title, Bublik wins in Hangzhou
-
Trump returns to UN to attack 'globalist' agenda
-
No.1 Scheffler plays down great expectations at Ryder Cup
-
WHO sees no autism links to Tylenol, vaccines
-
US Fed official urges proactive approach on rates to boost jobs market
-
Nearly 100 buffaloes die in Namibia stampede
-
UN chief warns 'aid cuts are wreaking havoc' amid slashed budgets
-
Schools shut, flights axed as Typhoon Ragasa nears Hong Kong, southern China
-
Hundreds trapped as typhoon triggers barrier lake burst in Taiwan
-
EU proposes new delay to anti-deforestation rules
-
Man City have 'recovered many things': Guardiola
-
Thailand to 'clarify misunderstandings' after SEA Games petanque ban
-
Denmark brands mystery drone flights 'serious' attack
-
Iran executed at least 1,000 this year in prison 'mass killing': NGO
-
France's Dassault says can build European fighter jet without Germany
-
Former umpire 'Dickie' Bird dies aged 92
-
Ghana deports at least six west Africans expelled by US to Togo
-
Bradley admits thoughts linger about having played in Ryder Cup
-
EU queries Apple, Google, Microsoft over financial scams
-
OECD raises world growth outlook as tariffs contained, for now
-
Former umpire Harold 'Dickie' Bird dies aged 92
-
Cycling worlds bring pride to African riders despite disadvantages
-
Stocks diverge with eyes on key economic data
-
German business groups pressure Merz over ailing economy
-
Drone flights 'most serious attack' on Danish infrastructure, PM says
-
Indonesia, EU sign long-awaited trade deal
-
Howe confident Newcastle will find 'X factor'
-
Trump returns to UN podium and Zelensky talks
-
Tech migrants 'key' for US growth, warns OECD chief economist
-
East Timor to become ASEAN bloc's 11th member in October
-
OECD ups world economic outlook as tariffs contained, for now
-
India bids tearful farewell to maverick musician
-
Sunset for Windows 10 updates leaves users in a bind
-
Hopes of Western refuge sink for Afghans in Pakistan
-
'Real' Greek farmers fume over EU subsidies scandal
-
Trump to see Zelensky and lay out dark vision of UN
-
US lawmaker warns of military 'misunderstanding' risk with China
-
Emery seeks Europa League lift with Villa as Forest end long absence
-
Egypt frees activist Alaa Abdel Fattah after Sisi pardon
-
Gibbs, Montgomery doubles as Lions rampage over Ravens
-
Asian markets struggle as focus turns to US inflation
-
Schools shut, flights cancelled as Typhoon Ragasa nears Hong Kong
-
Maverick Georgian designer Demna debuts for Gucci in Milan
-
What do some researchers call disinformation? Anything but disinformation
-
Jimmy Kimmel show to return Tuesday
-
Unification Church leader arrested in South Korea
-
U.S. Polo Assn. Supports the XV Federation of International Polo European Polo Championship as Official Apparel Partner
-
Singapore firm rejects $1bn Sri Lankan pollution damages
NYSE - LSE
After two setbacks, SpaceX could try to launch massive Starship next week
SpaceX said Friday it will make another launch attempt next week of the massive Starship rocket -- key to CEO Elon Musk's long-term vision of colonizing Mars -- after two consecutive in-flight explosions earlier this year.
"The ninth flight test of Starship is preparing to launch as soon as Tuesday, May 27," the company said on its website, adding the launch window would open at 6:30 pm (2330 GMT) at its base in Texas.
Two previous test flights of the world's largest and most powerful rocket ended in setbacks, with high-altitude explosions and showers of debris falling over the Caribbean.
Both times, the upper stage of the rocket was lost. But the Super Heavy Booster was caught with the launch tower's mechanical "chopstick" arms -- an impressive feat of engineering.
To date, Starship has completed eight integrated test flights atop the Super Heavy booster, with four successes and four failures ending in explosions.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered inquiries and grounded all SpaceX flights, but on Thursday authorized the resumption of the company's flight activities, provided that modifications were made to the rocket.
For this new flight, SpaceX will reuse one of the recovered Super Heavy boosters for the first time.
However, the vehicle will not return to Starbase for a new catch. Instead, it will be used to conduct "several flight experiments to gather real-world performance data" before making a "hard splashdown" in the Gulf of Mexico, which President Donald Trump renamed the Gulf of America upon taking office.
Standing 403 feet (123 meters) tall -- about 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty -- Starship is designed to eventually be fully reusable.
Musk's company is betting on the launch of numerous Starship prototypes in order to quickly correct problems -- a successful strategy, but one that has its critics.
In 2023, several environmental groups sued the FAA, accusing them of failing to completely assess the environmental impact of these test flights.
Despite the criticism, the FAA in early May authorized the increase of the number of annual Starship rocket launches from five to 25 at SpaceX's Texas base.
F.Qawasmeh--SF-PST
