SpaceX Starship SN11 Launches LIVE: Mars-bound Rocket for Major Flight Test

After numerous delays, SpaceX finally appears ready for its fourth major flight test of its Mars-bound Starship craft today.

Starship SN11 is already on the launch pad at the firm’s Boca Chica facility in Texas and has completed a static fire test in preparation for a launch attempt up to 10 km.

It comes just over three months after the first high-altitude flight of a spaceship, with the launches of SN8, SN9 and SN10 all ending in an explosion.

A successful launch and landing today will be a huge step toward Elon Musk’s ambition to colonize Mars with hundreds of spaceships.

We will have SpaceX’s official stream of the event as soon as it goes live, as well as the latest updates below.

The NasaSpaceFlight team also has an excellent camera setup and team on site, their stream is already live on YouTube.

read more

Follow live updates below

1616772746

Residents of the village of Boca Chica have received an evacuation order before noon, which is in 1.5 hours. We’re getting closer.

Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 3:32 PM

1616771450

Here’s what Starship SN11’s static fire test looked like before in case you missed it.

Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 3:10 PM

1616770360

The launch pad appears to have reopened, with a train of at least seven vehicles heading for it. SpaceX engineers will perform some checks after the static fire test and then prepare for a launch attempt.

Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 2:52 PM

1616768549

Boca Chica Village is standing by for evacuation.

Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 2:22 PM

1616766354

Starship SN11 is currently venting 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

1616766256

The Starship SN11 test comes just over three weeks after the SN10’s last launch and landing. It turned out to be a massive success, accomplishing what its predecessors couldn’t by actually landing, but about eight minutes later it performed a quick unplanned teardown.

You can read the full report on that test here:

Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 1:44 PM

1616765471

For today’s launch attempt, SpaceX had to complete a final static burn test, which took place very early this morning.

There are now 11 hours in this launch window for SpaceX to complete the flight test. The times listed on the Cameron County Road Closure Notice are local time (12:00 PM-12:30PM Sat GMT).

(Cameron County)

Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 1:31 PM

1616764343

Hello and welcome to The independentlive coverage of SpaceX’s Starship SN11 flight test.

It is the fourth major high-altitude voyage for the Mars-bound craft, with all three previous attempts ending in a fiery explosion.

There have been numerous delays to the last launch, but now the weather is clear, local roads have been closed, FAA approval sought and fingers crossed that it is today.

Anthony CuthbertsonMarch 26, 2021 1:12 PM

Source