This is a major step toward the rocket's reusability.
The company is waiting on a vote that would turn Starbase into its own city.
It's the second test flight in a row in which the upper stage failed, and it once again rained debris from the skies.
Thursday's test flight, with the launch window opening at 6:30 p.m. ET, will attempt to deploy four Starlink simulators from the megarocket.
While part of the seventh test launch of the super heavy-lift rocket was a success, stress on the propulsion system led to debris raining down on Turks and Caicos.
Debris from the rocket's upper stage may have caused property damage, prompting an investigation into Starship's "rapid unscheduled disassembly."
The "rapid unscheduled disassembly" was likely caused by a propellant leak, Elon Musk said, and was captured on video by spectators on the ground.
Starship will also perform its first satellite deployment test, in addition to debuting a number of key upgrades.
As early as this Friday, SpaceX will test its megarocket with several upgrades and attempt to deploy Starlink mockups.
Starship's upper stage survived reentry and splashed down in the Indian Ocean following the rocket's sixth test flight.
Starship is tasked with carrying two astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface of the Moon as part of NASA's Artemis 3 mission.
A test flight of the megarocket unleashed a massive sonic boom—at least 10 times louder than the roar of a Falcon 9 rocket—as SpaceX sets its sights on launching it up to 100 times a year.
Starship lifted off for its sixth test flight on Tuesday, but its Super Heavy Booster splashed down in the ocean rather than being caught by the company's giant "chopsticks."
The company will launch its megarocket for its sixth test flight on Tuesday, hoping for another booster catch.
The pair, who seem attached at the hip these days, are scheduled to watch Starship's takeoff during a pivotal transitional period for the private space sector.
The in-flight propellant transfer is a crucial step in reaching the Moon and Mars.
Riding off the high of an epic test flight, rocket billionaire Elon Musk revealed upcoming plans for Starship's enhanced reusability.
Plus: Marines test Mycenean armor, an explosive SpaceX engine test, the link between stomach paralysis and Ozempic, and more.
Yesterday's test of an upcoming Raptor engine went sideways, causing the test stand to be engulfed in flames.
At SpaceX's manufacturing facility in Brownsville, Texas, the injury rate is more than seven times the industry average.
Mode
Follow us
