https://www.youtube.com/embed/bDL-ZMRHYrE
The SpaceX prototype will blast off to an altitude of 32,000ft after which it will try to touch back down in one piece. Starship SN11 is pencilled in to blast off from Boca Chica, South Texas, after originally aiming to fly on Friday, March 26. The launch was scrubbed and pushed back to Monday pending “additional checkouts”.
SpaceX fans were, however, disappointed to learn Monday’s launch was also scrubbed due to the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) launch license requirements.
After the explosive flights of the previous iterations – SN8, SN9 and SN10 – the FAA has reviewed and modified its SpaceX license.
A safety inspector is now required to be at Boca Chica for every flight to ensure SpaceX does not endanger public health and safety.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk told his more than 49.8 million Twitter followers yesterday the FAA inspector did not arrive in time for the launch, leading to another scrub.
He tweeted: “FAA inspector unable to reach Starbase in time for launch today. Postponed to no earlier than tomorrow.”
Elon Musk discusses future of SpaceX's Starship system
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Tuesday, March 30, is now the earliest Starship could fly and you will be able to watch the launch here on Express.co.uk.
The prototype rocket that could one day fly humans to Mars was rolled out onto the launch pad earlier this month.
SpaceX fans worldwide are hopeful SN11 will be the first Starship iteration to ace both the launch and landing sequence.
One person tweeted: “Starship makes me want to get up in the morning more than anything.
“I love you Elon Musk, I love you SpaceX people, I love you #teamspace”
How to watch the Starship launch today?
Courtesy of NASASpaceflight.com, you can watch the SpaceX launch in the embedded video above.
The broadcast will kick off at 12m BST and feature live commentary and views of the Boca Chica base.
Michael Baylor of NASASpaceflight.com tweeted” Set your alarms! The @NASASpaceflight team’s marathon Starship SN11 flight test coverage starts at 6am CDT.”
SpaceX’s launch window opens at 12pm and ends by 8pm BST today (7am to 3pm CDT).
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If everything goes according to plan, you can expect the SN11 to launch within this window.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr, who ordered road closures around Boca Chica today, said: “Should SpaceX not complete its planned space flight activities on March 30, 2021, then SpaceX may use the alternate date to complete its test launch activities.”
An identical backup window will open on Friday, April 2.
During the test flight, SN11 will launch to an altitude of 32,000ft (10km), using its three Raptor engines.
The spacecraft will then tip over by 90 degrees and fall to the ground belly-side down.
SN11 will control its descent using four flaps on its side and will only fire its engines again right before touchdown.
SpaceX said: “SN11’s Raptor engines will then reignite as the vehicle attempts a landing flip manoeuvre immediately before touching down on the landing pad adjacent to the launch mount.
“A controlled aerodynamic descent with body flaps and vertical landing capability, combined with in-space refilling, are critical to landing Starship at destinations across the solar system where prepared surfaces or runways do not exist, and returning to Earth.
“This capability will enable a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo on long-duration, interplanetary flights and help humanity return to the Moon, and travel to Mars and beyond.”
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