A SpaceX SN15 starship prototype is seen as it sits on a transporter after Wednesday's successful launch and first landing from the company's starship facility, in Boca Chica, Texas, U.S. May 6, 2021. REUTERS/Gene BlevinsFeb 10 - Elon Musk said on Thursday he was "highly confident" his new SpaceX Starship, designed for voyages to the moon and Mars, will reach Earth orbit for the first time this year, despite a host of technical and regulatory hurdles yet to be overcome.
It came nine months after the private California-based space venture achieved the first successful launch and touchdown of a Starship prototype rocket in a test-flight after four previous landing attempts ended in explosions.Musk acknowledged difficulties SpaceX has faced in developing the "Raptor 2" engines for its Super Heavy rocket, a reusable next-generation launch booster designed to carry the Starship spacecraft to orbit.
"I feel at this point highly confident that we will get to orbit this year," said Musk, who also heads electric car maker TeslaSuch a time frame would mark an ambitious feat, even for an uncrewed orbital test flight of the Super Heavy/Starship combo, the next step up from SpaceX's current workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, which Musk said has flown 144 successful launches and 106 return landings.
Such an environmental impact statements, or EIS reviews, can take years to complete and are often subject to litigation.
What? Elon Musk doesn't have to honor Regulations? No One is above the Law.
Someone, please, stop this madman.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: SPACEdotcom - 🏆 92. / 67 Read more »
Source: dallasnews - 🏆 18. / 71 Read more »
Source: SPACEdotcom - 🏆 92. / 67 Read more »
Source: nbcchicago - 🏆 545. / 51 Read more »
Source: WSJ - 🏆 98. / 63 Read more »