SpaceX’s massive Starship is finally going to orbit - and the effects could be seismic
SpaceX is preparing for a critical test flight of its Starship rocket, which aims to reach orbit for the first time. Success would transition the vehicle from testing to operational status, supporting future NASA moon missions and Starlink satellite deployments.
Why it matters
Starship is a cornerstone of modern space exploration, and its success is vital for lowering launch costs and enabling long-term goals like lunar colonization.
People near the sandy shores of Texas' southernmost coastline are accustomed to the earth-shattering roar of the most powerful rocket ever made: Since 2023, various prototypes of SpaceX's Starship have taken flight from the area 13 times - with nearly half ending in some form of unintended explosion.
But the stakes are about to get even higher.
On Monday, SpaceX will attempt to launch Starship to orbit for the first time, allowing it to deploy the inaugural batch of a new generation of Starlink internet satellites. Liftoff is expected during a 75-minute launch window that will open at 8:15 a.m. ET.
If successful, Monday's test flight could mark a monumental step forward - signifying that Starship may soon leave its test flight phase and enter full operation.
As Starship crosses that threshold, the ripple effects for the broader space industry are expected to be seismic.
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