January features two major rocket launches to look out for

The year ahead is shaping up to be another exciting one for space missions.

One of the highlights will be the increased focus on the development of new rockets. SpaceX, for example, is gearing up to boost the launch rate of its next-generation Starship rocket in 2025.

Since its maiden flight in 2023, the 120-meter-tall Starship, consisting of the Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft, has completed six flights. SpaceX has now received clearance from the FAA to conduct the seventh test flight of the Starship from its Starbase site in Boca Chica, Texas.

The launch date has not been confirmed yet, but reports indicate that SpaceX is aiming for Saturday, January 11, for the next Starship test flight.

The Starship launches are truly impressive, with the Super Heavy booster generating a record-breaking 17 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. The return of the booster after deploying the Starship spacecraft adds to the spectacle.

Unlike the Falcon 9 booster, which lands on the ground, SpaceX is using mechanical arms on the launch tower to catch the returning Super Heavy booster, ensuring a safe landing. The successful catch was achieved in the fifth test flight, but an anomaly during the sixth flight led to the booster landing in the Gulf of Mexico.

NASA plans to utilize SpaceX’s Starship for crew and cargo missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond. With increased testing, this year could mark significant progress toward the Starship’s certification for operational flights.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket

Another exciting launch to watch for this month is Blue Origin’s inaugural flight of the New Glenn orbital rocket.

Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, has previously launched the suborbital New Shepard rocket for tourist flights. The New Glenn, powered by BE-4 engines, is a heavy-lift orbital rocket designed for larger payloads and more demanding missions.

The New Glenn recently completed a successful integrated launch vehicle hotfire test, paving the way for its first flight from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The maiden launch will carry Blue Origin’s Blue Ring Pathfinder payload and serve as a demonstration mission for the U.S. Space Force.

While official launch dates have not been announced, both the Starship and New Glenn missions are expected to take place this month.