SpaceX plans next Starship launch as soon as this month, catching it on land

Washington: SpaceX aims to launch its next Starship flight test as early as this month, according to CEO Elon Musk's remarks during the company's recent earnings call. The upgraded Starship will carry its first batch of V3 Starlink satellites into orbit, promising a significant increase in broadband capacity and data density. Musk revealed that the upper stage of the rocket is expected to land on the ground for the first time, a crucial step towards SpaceX's goal of building a fully reusable orbital launch system.

This would involve the use of giant mechanical arms attached to a tower in Texas, which have already demonstrated success in recovering SpaceX's Super Heavy booster three times. The landing test is of particular interest to NASA, which is eager to utilize the rocket for moon landings. Musk hinted at the possibility of increasing Starship's launch frequency rapidly, potentially launching a mission every day.

The next flight, tentatively scheduled for the end of the month, will determine the exact timing of the upper stage's land return.