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After numerous delays, it appears SpaceX is finally ready for its fourth major flight test of its Mars-bound Starship today.
Starship SN11 is now on the launch pad at the company’s Boca Chica facility in Texas and has completed a static fire test in preparation for a 10km launch attempt.
It comes just over three months after the first high-altitude flight of a Starship spacecraft, with launches of SN8, SN9, and SN10 ending in an explosion.
A successful launch and landing today will be a big step toward Elon Musk’s ambition to colonize Mars with hundreds of spacecraft.
We’ll have the official broadcast of the SpaceX event as soon as it’s live, as well as all the latest updates below.
The NasaSpaceFlight team also has an excellent camera set up and a team on the ground, their broadcast is already live on YouTube.
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Follow the live updates below
Residents of Boca Chica Village have received evacuation orders by noon, which is in 1.5 hours. We are getting closer.
Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 3:32 PM
Here’s what Starship SN11’s static fire test looked like before in case you missed it.
Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 3:10 PM
The launch pad appears to have reopened, with a train of at least seven vehicles heading towards it. SpaceX engineers will run some checks after the static fire test and then prepare for a launch attempt.
Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 2:52 PM
Boca Chica Village awaiting evacuation.
Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 2:22 PM
Starship SN11 is currently airing after the static fire test, which is a good sign that things are progressing towards a flight test today.
Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 1:45 PM
The Starship SN11 test comes just over three weeks after the last SN10 launch and landing. It turned out to be a massive success and accomplished what its predecessors couldn’t by actually landing, yet about eight minutes later it performed an unscheduled quick takedown.
You can read the full report of that test here:
Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 1:44 PM
Before today’s launch attempt, SpaceX needed to complete a final static fire test, which took place very early this morning.
There are 11 hours left in this launch window for SpaceX to complete the flight test. The times listed on the Cameron County Road Closure Notice are local time (12 PM to 12.30 AM Sat GMT).
(Cameron County)
Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 1:31 PM
Hello and welcome to The independentLive coverage of SpaceX’s Starship SN11 flight test.
It’s the fourth major high-altitude excursion for the Mars-bound spacecraft, and all three previous attempts ended in a fiery explosion.
There have been numerous delays to the latest launch, but now the weather is clear, local roads are closed, FAA clearance has been requested, and fingers are crossed that today is the day.
Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 1:12 PM
