https://www.youtube.com/embed/XCUGKZFIcxk
The SpaceX rocket will blast off today (March 29) to an altitude of 32,000ft after which it will attempt to touch back down in one piece. SN11 is only the fourth Starship model that will attempt to pull off a launch and landing sequence, with its three predecessors all being blown to smithereens. The rocket was due to launch on Friday but the test flight was called off pending “additional checkouts”.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk is, however, hopeful the rocket will get to earn its wings on Monday afternoon.
And the good news is you can watch the action from South Texas here on Express.co.uk.
Fans are desperate to see SN11 ace the landing after SN10 came close to succeeding earlier this month.
The 164ft-tall spacecraft managed to touch down in one piece after its brief flight but was damaged when it hit the ground too hard.
SpaceX: Starship SN10 successfully lands in Texas
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Then, just eight minutes after its lopsided touchdown, a methane leak ignited and the rocket was thrown back into the air, surrounded by smoke and flames.
SpaceX fans worldwide are now keeping their fingers crossed SN11 will survive today’s flight.
One person tweeted: “Tomorrow could be the day that #Starship #SN11 finally takes flight. Will it land? Well, that’s to be determined.
“I wish the #SpaceX Starship team the best of luck on tomorrow’s attempt!”
How to watch the Starship SN11 launch:
Courtesy of NASASpaceflight.com, you can watch the launch and landing attempt in the embedded video player above.
Simply hit play on the free stream, which will kick off at 2pm BST today.
Although SpaceX has not announced what time the rocket will fly, the launch window is open between 6pm and 11pm BST (12pm to 5pm CDT).
The stream will feature live commentary from the team at NASASpaceflight and you can engage with the SpaceX experts by heading over their YouTube page.
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Michael Baylor, a spaceflight photographer and stream producer for NASASpaceflight, tweeted: SpaceX could attempt a test flight of Starship SN11 on Monday afternoon local time from Boca Chica, Texas.
“The @NASASpaceflight team’s marathon coverage begins at 8 am Central.”
SpaceX will attempt to perform a belly-flop manoeuvre today.
The rocket that could one day fly humans to Mars will first launch to an altitude of 6.2 miles (10km), powered by its three Raptor engines.
SN11 will then cut off its engines and tip over by 90 degrees, with its belly facing down.
As the rocket drops towards the ground, it will be guided in freefall by the four fins mounted on its side.
SN11 will then tip upright again just before reaching the ground and fire its Raptors for a soft landing attempt.
SpaceX explained: “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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