SpaceX chief reveals target date for 9th Starship test

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has hinted at the possibility of the ninth test flight of the massive Starship rocket taking place next week.

“Just before the Starship flight next week, I will give a company talk explaining the Mars game plan in Starbase, Texas, that will also be live-streamed on X,” Musk stated in a social media post on Wednesday.

Following a static test fire of the Starship spacecraft’s Raptor engines, SpaceX is gearing up for the planned controlled landing in the Indian Ocean after separating from the first-stage Super Heavy booster.

With recent setbacks in flights seven and eight this year, SpaceX is working diligently to ensure a successful performance this time around.

The ultimate goal is to utilize the Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, to transport the first human crew to Mars.

Musk previously expressed interest in launching an uncrewed Starship to Mars next year to test the spacecraft’s capabilities. More details on this plan are expected next week.

Once the Starship’s reliability for Mars missions is confirmed, SpaceX can move forward with preparations for the first crewed flight, possibly before the end of the decade.

While Musk’s timelines are known to shift, SpaceX is aiming to increase Starship testing to up to two flights per month by the end of the year, accelerating readiness for future missions.

Prior to the crewed Mars voyage, NASA plans to utilize a modified Starship version for a mission to land astronauts on the moon in 2027 as part of Artemis III.

This year is shaping up to be a busy one for the Starship program. Stay tuned for Musk’s upcoming address to learn more about the exciting developments ahead.