SpaceX is gearing up for the fifth test flight of its Starship megarocket, which is intended to eventually transport NASA astronauts to the moon and Mars. The latest launch has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and is scheduled for a Sunday takeoff from Texas. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk envisions using Starship to establish a lunar settlement and conduct crewed trips to Mars as early as 2028. The rocket, which is the largest and most powerful ever built, has had successful landings in its recent demonstrations, with engineers hoping to achieve a full return of the booster rocket for the first time. The livestream of the launch can be watched on SpaceX’s website and social media platforms. Starship is a key component of NASA’s Artemis program, with SpaceX being paid a significant amount to develop a spacecraft for moon missions. The ultimate goal is to establish a lunar settlement on the moon’s south pole using resources like water ice for drinking, breathing, and rocket fuel. Despite previous explosions during testing, SpaceX officials have noted improvements in Starship’s performance in recent demonstrations, with plans for crewed missions in the near future.
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