[SpeedyInTexas]

The ugliest 'rocket' ever. But hope it works.

"Elon Musk’s SpaceX Prepares for Starship Launch"

"SpaceX is gearing up for a key test of its immense rocket that is designed for commercial launches, as well as the Mars mission Elon Musk has long sought.

Near a beach east of Brownsville, Texas, employees at Mr. Musk’s space company are preparing for the inaugural orbital flight of Starship, the towering rocket system the company has been developing for years to one day launch into deep space. The initial test mission would last around 90 minutes, beginning with a fiery blast of the ship’s booster over the Gulf of Mexico, SpaceX has said in a regulatory filing.

It isn’t clear when SpaceX will attempt the first flight, after dates Mr. Musk has discussed came and went. Some officials at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a customer for a version of Starship, previously said they thought the mission could occur in early December. "



https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-spacex-prepares-for-starship-launch-11671327551?mod=hp_lead_pos9

[Alas Babylon!]

Ugly?

No way!

I think it’s purty, in a Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon 1930s kind of way.

[PIF]

Pay wall

Musk must have received FAA and EPA approval to launch from Boca, else the story is bogus. There is no update about this on SpaceX’s website.

Last anyone heard he was moving to the Cape where he did have FAA license, but not the EPA license to launch.

The only updates have been various YouTubers that have gone to Bocas to chronicle the continued updating of the 2 vehicles and static tests.

Keep in mind, the whole of this program is based on the “test to failure” model which means rapid testing, something that came to a screeching halt when Biden took office. Last Starship (SN15) launch was May 15 2021

Starship | SN15 | Flight Test Recap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CZTLogln34

The two most recent StarShip updates:

Life at Starbase, Nov 4, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQBVOQ79G2s

Starship Update Feb 10, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N7L8Xhkzqo

SpaceX Starship SN10 soars, lands for first time! Mar 3, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLNQ6Mq5kbg