Elon Musk gave the world new information regarding the SpaceX Starship test that will take place this week to determine if it is ready for its long-haul flight for its Mars mission. It is the program's return to its launchpad with Mechazilla on Starbase, Boca Chica, Texas, already in its full-stack, standing atop its Super Heavy Booster rocket.
The team is treading carefully with Starship's test in this return as they would need to avoid any accidents or RUDs that would set them back for half a year on the mission.
Elon Musk: Starship Tests this Week on Starbase
A report from Chris Gebhardt from NASA Spaceflight shares that Starship's full stack is moving towards its launchpad over at Starbase and upcoming testing for the mission for this week.
The full stack combines all of Starlink's elements and needs, including the Super Heavy Booster rocket that it will sit atop on and the Mechazilla chopsticks that will hold its position and catch the spacecraft on its return.
Elon Musk replied to this tweet and said that the company needs to be careful, especially as it aims to avoid any mishaps to take place. The company cannot afford any unfortunate events now, especially as it aims to deliver the Starship as early as possible to fulfill its needs for the future missions it plans for the rocket.
We are proceeding very carefully. If there is a RUD on the pad, Starship progress will be set back by ~6 months.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 16, 2022
Starship to be Careful or a Massive Delay
The Starship mission is still in testing mode, and it needs to be careful in its testing now as Musk claimed that it might set them back approximately six months if it fails again. RUDs or Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly may also take place if any booster fails or explodes, as well as any other parts of the rocket that may need to have any service to ensure its safety and success.
SpaceX's Starship Program
Back in August, Elon Musk claimed that an actual launch and mission would take place in one to 12 months since Starship's return to its launchpad, which will help propel the rocket for its future missions. The Starship is looking to develop its mission at a rapid pace, and the company is not wasting any time in getting it ready for its launch.
Once SpaceX achieves success on launches, it will soon embark on its mission and may replace the Falcon 9 for its needs.
The most significant setback for the company this year was Booster 7's explosion from its test earlier this year, and SpaceX wants to avoid this incident to happen again. The company took it back to RUD and its hangar to work on the rocket before heading back to the launchpad to test it, with a planned static fire for the full stack taking place soon.
Its return to the launchpad is iconic, and the company wants to proceed as early as possible for its mission, to bring its rocket to orbit and test its capabilities.
However, it would need to be careful to avoid another incident or explosion, especially as it would set them back to as much as half a year before they recover and start again with the tests.
Read also: SpaceX Starship: Elon Musk Claims It Will Grow 5 to 10 Meters MORE-Also Applies Booster Changes
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Written by Isaiah Richard
