Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
SpaceX is gearing up for the seventh test flight of its Starship Super Heavy rocketat 3:30 am IST on January from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.
This flight marks a pivotal moment in the program, showcasing an upgraded Starship designed for improved reliability and performance.
The mission will test payload deployment capabilities for the first time by releasing ten Starlink simulators—models of next-generation satellites—in a suborbital trajectory.
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These simulators will splash down in the Indian Ocean, a critical step in demonstrating the Starship’s future utility for satellite launches.
This Starship iteration features several advancements. The forward flaps have been resized and repositioned to reduce exposure to reentry heating, simplifying the system.
A redesigned propulsion system increases propellant capacity by 25%, enabling longer missions. Additionally, a new heat shield boasts advanced tiles with a backup layer for enhanced durability.
The avionics have been overhauled, incorporating powerful new flight computers, integrated antennas for improved communication, and over 30 cameras to monitor performance.
These upgrades align with SpaceX’s vision for more complex missions, including propellant transfer and eventual spacecraft return.
A highlight of the test is the potential recovery of the Super Heavy booster using the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms. After technical issues in November that led to a water landing, SpaceX has enhanced the system for reliability.
If all systems are go, the booster will be caught mid-air; otherwise, a controlled splashdown is planned.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
