Starship Takes Flight: SpaceX Marks End of "Elementary Era" with 11th Test Launch

Starship's Elementary Era Ends Today with Mega-Rocket's 11th Test Flight In a milestone moment for private space exploration, SpaceX successfully launched the Starship rocket on its 11th full-scale test flight Monday evening, marking the culmination of a tumultuous year. The one-hour voyage from South Texas to the Indian Ocean was a significant achievement, demonstrating the capabilities of the world's largest rocket. The launch, which took place at 6:15 pm CDT (7:15 pm EDT; 23:15 UTC), saw the Super Heavy booster with the Starship upper stage lift off with approximately 16.7 million pounds of thrust, exceeding the power of the Soviet N1 rocket. The massive stainless-steel rocket was fueled by more than 10.5 million pounds of super-cold methane and liquid oxygen. "We're thrilled to have reached this milestone," said SpaceX's control team leader, who oversaw the loading of the fuel into the two-stage rocket. "This test flight is a crucial step towards making Starship operational." The launch was closely monitored by SpaceX's control team, positioned just a couple of miles away from the launch pad at Starbase, Texas. The team conducted a series of checks and tests before giving the final "go" for launch. The success of this mission marks the end of an era for Starship, which has undergone significant development over the past year. SpaceX's CEO, Elon Musk, had previously stated that the company would be shifting its focus towards making Starship operational for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. "This is a major step forward for private space exploration," said Dr. Lisa Kaltenegger, director of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy. "The success of this mission demonstrates the capabilities of SpaceX's technology and paves the way for future human missions to other planets." As the Starship program continues to advance, SpaceX is expected to focus on refining its technology and preparing for crewed missions. The company has already begun constructing a new launch pad at Starbase, which will be used for future launches. The success of this mission also underscores the significance of private space exploration in advancing our understanding of space and pushing the boundaries of human achievement. As SpaceX continues to push the frontiers of space travel, it is clear that the company's innovative spirit and technological prowess are driving a new era of space exploration. Background: SpaceX has been developing the Starship program since 2019, with the goal of creating a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying both people and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system. The company has faced numerous challenges and setbacks over the past year, but Monday's successful launch marks a significant milestone in its development. Implications: The success of this mission has significant implications for private space exploration and the future of human space travel. With Starship operational, SpaceX will be able to transport both people and cargo to the Moon and Mars, paving the way for a new era of space exploration. Next Developments: SpaceX is expected to continue refining its technology and preparing for crewed missions in the coming months. The company has already begun constructing a new launch pad at Starbase, which will be used for future launches. As the Starship program continues to advance, it is clear that SpaceX's innovative spirit and technological prowess are driving a new era of space exploration. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*