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21:13, 9 October 2021: Stonkaments (talk | contribs) triggered filter 869, performing the action "edit" on SpaceX Starship. Actions taken: Tag; Filter description: Adding deprecated source to articles (examine | diff)

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=== Criticism and controversies ===
=== Criticism and controversies ===
[[File:Elon_&_The_Starship_(50710186528).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|alt=Photograph of Elon Musk alongside the remains of Starship|Starship SN8 remains after it crashed to the ground]]Residents of [[Boca Chica Village, Texas|Boca Chica Village]] and [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], along with environmental activists, have criticized the Starship development program, stating that SpaceX has harmed local wildlife, conducted unauthorized test flights along with infrastructure's construction, and polluted the area with noise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=14 July 2021|title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|archive-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina|date=11 February 2020|title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly|publisher=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|archive-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=John|date=21 June 2021|title=SpaceX's New Rocket Factory Is Making Its Texas Neighbors Mad|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132224/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webner|first=Richard|date=13 July 2021|title='It just shouldn't be going on here'; Brownsville activists say Elon Musk's SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190114/https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Environmental groups have warned that SpaceX's Starship program threatens wildlife in the area, including 18 vulnerable and endangered species.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=2021-09-05|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site threatens wildlife, Texas environmental groups say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100945/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-07-28|title=As SpaceX races to expand launch site, concern grows for wildlife habitats in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Courthouse News|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050646/https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/}}</ref> Parts of the wildlife refuge were littered with rocket debris after failed test launches, which took three months to clean up.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=De La Rosa|first=Pablo|date=13 May 2021|title=As SpaceX Ramps Up Activity In The Rio Grande Valley, Local Concerns Grow|url=https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513005107/https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> A [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] employee complained of "unauthorized encroachments and trespass on the refuge" by SpaceX employees.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=SpaceX launch site brings controversy to Texas town|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launch-site-boca-chica-texas-60-minutes-plus/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en}}</ref> The Fish and Wildlife Service also claimed that SpaceX exceeded 1,000 hours of highway closures in 2019, well above the 300 hours they were permitted.<ref name=":22" />
[[File:Elon_&_The_Starship_(50710186528).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|alt=Photograph of Elon Musk alongside the remains of Starship|Starship SN8 remains after it crashed to the ground]]Residents of [[Boca Chica Village, Texas|Boca Chica Village]] and [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], along with environmental activists, have criticized the Starship development program, stating that SpaceX has harmed local wildlife, conducted unauthorized test flights along with infrastructure's construction, and polluted the area with noise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=14 July 2021|title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|archive-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina|date=11 February 2020|title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly|publisher=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|archive-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=John|date=21 June 2021|title=SpaceX's New Rocket Factory Is Making Its Texas Neighbors Mad|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132224/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webner|first=Richard|date=13 July 2021|title='It just shouldn't be going on here'; Brownsville activists say Elon Musk's SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190114/https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Environmental groups have warned that SpaceX's Starship program threatens wildlife in the area, including 18 vulnerable and endangered species.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=2021-09-05|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site threatens wildlife, Texas environmental groups say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100945/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-07-28|title=As SpaceX races to expand launch site, concern grows for wildlife habitats in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Courthouse News|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050646/https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/}}</ref> Parts of the wildlife refuge were littered with rocket debris after failed test launches, which took three months to clean up.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=De La Rosa|first=Pablo|date=13 May 2021|title=As SpaceX Ramps Up Activity In The Rio Grande Valley, Local Concerns Grow|url=https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513005107/https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> A [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] employee complained of "unauthorized encroachments and trespass on the refuge" by SpaceX employees.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=SpaceX launch site brings controversy to Texas town|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launch-site-boca-chica-texas-60-minutes-plus/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en}}</ref> The Fish and Wildlife Service also claimed that SpaceX exceeded 1,000 hours of highway closures in 2019, well above the 300 hours they were permitted.<ref name=":22" /> In June 2021, Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz threatened to prosecute SpaceX for unauthorized road and beach closures, as well as employing security officers who may not be licensed to carry handguns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharp|first=Rachel|date=2021-06-16|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX may have broken Texas laws by blocking roads|url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9693973/Elon-Musks-SpaceX-warned-broken-Texas-laws-blocking-public-roads-Boca-Chica.html|access-date=2021-10-09|website=Mail Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-06-26|title=Threatened With Prosecution, SpaceX Defends Its Activities in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/threatened-with-prosecution-spacex-defends-its-activities-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-09|website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Herald|first=Laura B. Martinez-The Brownsville|date=2021-06-15|title=Cameron County DA: SpaceX may be violating Texas law|url=https://myrgv.com/local-news/2021/06/15/cameron-county-da-spacex-may-be-violating-texas-law/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=MyRGV.com|language=en-US}}</ref>


SpaceX proceeded with SN8 launch and ignored [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s (FAA) warnings that the flight profile posed an unacceptable risk to the uninvolved public in the event of an explosion.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-06-15|title=SpaceX ignored last-minute warnings from the FAA before December Starship launch|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006042131/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-01-29|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX violated its launch license in explosive Starship test, triggering an FAA probe|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930204618/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-29|title=Congress raises concerns about FAA’s handling of Starship launch license violation|url=https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009133103/https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|url-status=live}}</ref> FAA space division chief [[Wayne Monteith]] said SpaceX's violation was “inconsistent with a strong safety culture", and criticized the company for proceeding with the launch “based on ‘impressions’ and ‘assumptions,’ rather than procedural checks and positive affirmations".<ref name=":21" /> Members of Congress voiced concerns about the FAA's response to SpaceX's launch license violations, calling on the FAA to "resist any potential undue influence on launch safety decision-making".<ref name=":20" />
SpaceX proceeded with SN8 launch and ignored [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s (FAA) warnings that the flight profile posed an unacceptable risk to the uninvolved public in the event of an explosion.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-06-15|title=SpaceX ignored last-minute warnings from the FAA before December Starship launch|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006042131/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-01-29|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX violated its launch license in explosive Starship test, triggering an FAA probe|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930204618/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-29|title=Congress raises concerns about FAA’s handling of Starship launch license violation|url=https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009133103/https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|url-status=live}}</ref> FAA space division chief [[Wayne Monteith]] said SpaceX's violation was “inconsistent with a strong safety culture", and criticized the company for proceeding with the launch “based on ‘impressions’ and ‘assumptions,’ rather than procedural checks and positive affirmations".<ref name=":21" /> Members of Congress voiced concerns about the FAA's response to SpaceX's launch license violations, calling on the FAA to "resist any potential undue influence on launch safety decision-making".<ref name=":20" />

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'{{Short description|Super heavy-lift reusable launch vehicle from SpaceX}} {{good article}} {{Use American English|date=March 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox rocket | name = Starship <!-- SpaceX Starship is used for title to discriminate against an already existed article --> | image = {{Multiple image|image1=Starship_SN16.jpeg|image2=Booster in the High Bay (51438375448).jpg|perrow=2|total_width=220|border=infobox|alt1=Photograph of a steel rocket facing backward on a launch mount|alt2=Photograph of the top of a steel booster inside a construction bay}} | caption = Left: Starship spacecraft SN16 on display<br/>Right: Super Heavy booster BN4{{Efn|name=b}} | function = {{plainlist| * [[Human spaceflight#Passenger travel via spacecraft|Intercontinental transport]] * [[Launch vehicle|Orbital launch and re-entry]] * [[Lander (spacecraft)|Extraterrestial lander]] }} | cpl = | manufacturer = [[SpaceX]] | country-origin = United States | height = {{cvt|120|m}}<ref name=":1"/> | diameter = {{cvt|9|m}} | stages = 2 | status = In development | stagedata = {{Infobox rocket/payload | location = [[low Earth orbit]] | volume = {{circa|{{cvt|1100|m3}}}} | altitude = {{cvt|500|km|mi|abbr=on}} | inclination = 98.9° | kilos = >{{cvt|100|metric ton|lb}} reusable<ref name="Guide">{{Cite web|date=March 2020|title=Starship Users Guide : Revision 1.0|url=https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf|url-status=live|website=[[SpaceX]]|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806173133/https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf}}</ref> }} {{Infobox rocket/payload | location = higher Earth orbits,<br/>the [[Moon]] or [[Mars]] | kilos = >{{cvt|100|metric ton|lb}} after one or multiple refuellings<ref name="Guide"/> | volume = {{circa|{{cvt|1100|m3}}}} }} {{Infobox rocket/stage | type = stage | name = Super Heavy | stageno = First | length = {{cvt|70|m}}<ref name=":1"/> | propmass = {{cvt|3400|metric ton|lb}} | engines = 33 [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor]] | thrust = {{circa|{{cvt|72|MN|lb-f|sigfig=2}}}} | fuel = Liquid [[liquid methane|CH<sub>4</sub>]] and [[liquid oxygen|O<sub>2</sub>]] }} {{Infobox rocket/stage | type = stage | name = Starship | stageno = Second | length = {{cvt|50|m}}<ref name=":1"/> | propmass = {{cvt|1200|metric ton|lb}} | engines = 3 [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor]]<br/>3 [[SpaceX Raptor#Raptor Vacuum|Raptor Vacuum]] | fuel = Liquid [[liquid methane|CH<sub>4</sub>]] and [[liquid oxygen|O<sub>2</sub>]] }} <!-- Launch success/failure fields in the rocket infobox are intended for operational missions; not every partially-complete Starship used as one of many test articles --> | sites = {{hlist | [[SpaceX South Texas launch site|Boca Chica launch site]] | [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]] | [[SpaceX Starship offshore platforms|''Phobos'' and ''Deimos'']] }}}} <!-- KEEP IT AS STARSHIP, the reason being that this article is called "SpaceX Starship" is to differentiate with a general insterstellar vehicle. Write "Starship" as if it is a name, like "Delta IV" and "Falcon 9" --> '''Starship''' is a fully [[reusable launch system]] in development by American private aerospace company [[SpaceX]] as of October 2021. Starship launch system consists of a first stage named Super Heavy and a second stage named Starship; both are made from [[stainless steel]] and designed to hold [[liquid oxygen]] alongside liquid [[methane]]. During liftoff, 33 [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor rocket engines]] mounted under Super Heavy produce {{Convert|72|MN|lk=on|abbr=on}} of thrust, twice that of a [[Saturn V]] rocket. The spacecraft has three Raptors optimized for the vacuum of space, three other Raptors used to land itself vertically, and two pairs of flaps to control its descent. [[launch pad|Launch pads]] and towers for Starship are designed to lift Starship's stages to position, as well as aid its launch and recovery operations. A Starship launch can place more than {{cvt|100|metric ton|lb}} of payload to [[low Earth orbit]] and to higher Earth orbits, the [[Moon]], and [[Mars]] after refueled by tanker Starships. In 2005, the first publicly known rocket concept with Starship lifting capabilities from SpaceX is BFR, burning a mixture of [[RP-1]] and liquid oxygen for thrust. After major changes to these concepts, on 25 July 2019, ''Starhopper'' performed the first successful flight by any Starship test article at the [[SpaceX South Texas launch site|Boca Chica launch site]], which as of October 2021 is the main build and launch site. The first complete Starship test article was SN8, which launched and crashed to the ground on 9 December 2020. On 5 May 2021, SN15 became the first test article to launch and land successfully. As of October 2021, <!-- Please, do not change SN20 and BN4 to Ship 20 and Booster 4, since it is just an abbreviation of "ship number 20" and "booster number 4". --> SN20 and BN4{{Efn|name=b|Around August 2021, SpaceX used an alternate "Starship X" and "Booster X" naming scheme, where X is the serial number. They are often abbreviated to "S" and "B", followed by the prototype's number. Sometimes, "Starship X" is abbreviated to "Ship X".<ref name="stackedstarship">{{cite news|last=Sheetz |first=Michael|date=6 August 2021|title=Musk: 'Dream come true' to see fully stacked SpaceX Starship rocket during prep for orbital launch|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/06/elon-musk-spacex-starship-fully-stacked-is-dream-come-true.html|access-date=24 September 2021|publisher=CNBC|archive-date=19 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819231115/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/06/elon-musk-spacex-starship-fully-stacked-is-dream-come-true.html|url-status=live}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} are expected to become the first test article to go to orbit.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Adam|first=Smith|date=14 May 2021|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX reveals Starship's first orbital test flight|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/elon-musk-spacex-starship-orbital-test-flight-b1847489.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520080106/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/elon-musk-spacex-starship-orbital-test-flight-b1847489.html|archive-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> Starship launch system is incorporated to upcoming and envisioned space missions, such as the [[DearMoon project|''dearMoon'' project]], [[Artemis program |NASA's Artemis program]], and [[SpaceX Mars program|SpaceX's Mars program]]. == Description == === Super Heavy and Starship === Starship's body is made from welded {{cvt|9|m}} diameter rings. They are {{cvt|3.97|mm}} thick, {{cvt|1.8|m}} tall, and composed of [[SAE 304 stainless steel|SAE 304L stainless steel]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=29 September 2019|title=Elon Musk says Starship should reach orbit within six months – and could even fly with a crew next year|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/28/elon-musk-says-starship-should-reach-orbit-within-six-months-and-it-could-even-fly-with-a-crew-next-year/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924073050/https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/28/elon-musk-says-starship-should-reach-orbit-within-six-months-and-it-could-even-fly-with-a-crew-next-year/|archive-date=24 September 2021|quote=The Mk1 features welded panels to make up the rings [...] but Mk3 and Mk4 will use full sheets of stainless steel that cover the whole diameter of the spacecraft, welded with a single weld.}}</ref><ref name="nsf20201209">{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=9 December 2020|title=From hops to hopes - Starship SN8 advances test program into the next phase|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/12/from-hops-hopes-starship-sn8-test-program-next-phase/|url-status=live|access-date=11 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210130805/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/12/from-hops-hopes-starship-sn8-test-program-next-phase/|archive-date=10 December 2020}}</ref> The Starship launch system consists of two stages: a Super Heavy booster and a Starship spacecraft. Both stages are equipped with complex liquid methane and oxygen [[Staged combustion cycle#Full-flow staged combustion cycle|full-flow staged combustion cycle]] [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor engines]] that each can produce approximately {{cvt|2|MN|lk=off}} of thrust.<ref name=":1" /> Generally, a kind of full-flow staged combustion cycle engine operates by flowing liquid methane and oxygen into its [[turbopump]]s, which are then pressurize, mixed, and heated in two preburners, with one receiving more methane and the other more oxygen.<ref name="sn20160113">{{cite news|last=Gruss|first=Mike|date=13 January 2016|title=Orbital ATK, SpaceX Win Air Force Propulsion Contracts|publisher=SpaceNews|url=http://spacenews.com/orbital-atk-spacex-win-air-force-propulsion-contracts/|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref> Both the high pressure and high temperature cause the liquids to evaporate, spinning the turbines, which in turn spin the turbopumps; this process repeats, until the hot gas is ignited in a combustion chamber.<ref name="sippel20122">{{cite conference|last1=Sippel|first1=Martin|last2=Yamashiro|first2=Ryoma|last3=Cremaschi|first3=Francesco|date=2012-05-10|title=Staged Combustion Cycle Rocket Engine Design Trade-offs for Future Advanced Passenger Transport|url=http://elib.dlr.de/78208/1/Prop2012-2.pdf|conference=Space Propulsion 2012|series=ST28-5|location=Bordeaux|publisher=DLR-SART|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319145738/http://elib.dlr.de/78208/1/Prop2012-2.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2014|access-date=2014-03-19|url-status=live}}</ref> The resultant gas quickly moves, and the [[Rocket engine nozzle|engine nozzle]] redirects it to produce thrust.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Huzel, D. K.|title=NASA SP-125, Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines|author2=Huang, D. H.|publisher=NASA|year=1971|edition=2nd|name-list-style=amp}}[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=306030&id=4&qs=Ne%3D35%26Ns%3DHarvestDate%257C0%26N%3D280%2B4294967231 Technical report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815021355/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=306030&id=4&qs=Ne%3D35%26Ns%3DHarvestDate%257C0%26N%3D280%2B4294967231 |date=15 August 2021 }}</ref> The Raptor Vacuum variant is equipped with a [[nozzle extension]] to increase its [[Specific impulse|specfic impulse]] in the vacuum of space. Super Heavy booster's primary goal is to accelerate the spacecraft to [[Mach number|Mach]] 8 or 9 and land itself on the launch tower's arms.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=4 January 2021|title=SpaceX may try to catch a falling rocket with a launch tower|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/spacex-may-try-to-catch-a-falling-rocket-with-a-launch-tower/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705075333/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/spacex-may-try-to-catch-a-falling-rocket-with-a-launch-tower/|archive-date=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref name=":14" /> The booster measures {{cvt|70|m}} tall and {{cvt|9|m}} in diameter.<ref name=":1" /> The bottom of the booster houses up to 33{{Efn|Early Super Heavy prototypes have less than thirty-three engines.<ref name="nsf-20210530"/>|group=lower-alpha}} sea‑level optimized Raptors that produce {{cvt|72|MN}} of thrust during liftoff.<ref name="nsf-20210530">{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=30 May 2021|title=Laying the groundwork for Super Heavy amid Raptor Ramp Up|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/groundwork-super-heavy-raptor-ramp-up/|url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530204718/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/groundwork-super-heavy-raptor-ramp-up/|archive-date=30 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Berger|first=Eric|date=2 August 2021|title=SpaceX installed 29 Raptor engines on a Super Heavy rocket last night|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/spacex-installed-29-raptor-engines-on-a-super-heavy-rocket-last-night/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804225106/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/spacex-installed-29-raptor-engines-on-a-super-heavy-rocket-last-night/|archive-date=4 August 2021}}</ref> Above the engines sit {{cvt|3400|metric ton|lb}} of propellant in tanks.<ref name=":1" /> Four [[grid fin]]s, installed above the booster, are designed to control Super Heavy descent and caught the launch tower's pair of mechanical arms.<ref name="landing">{{cite news|last=Wall |first=Mike|date=4 January 2021|title=SpaceX targets bold new 'catch' strategy for landing Super Heavy rockets|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-landing-plans|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220140553/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-landing-plans|archive-date=20 February 2021}}</ref> The booster is topped with a stage adapter for attaching the Starship spacecraft.<ref name="mechazilla">{{cite news|last=Cuthbertson|first=Anthony|date=30 August 2021|title=SpaceX will use 'robot chopsticks' to catch massive rocket, Elon Musk says|publisher=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-b1911138.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902055936/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-b1911138.html|archive-date=2 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="landing" /> After separation, the Starship spacecraft will accelerate itself to orbit and perform mission tasks and objectives.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 March 2021|title=SpaceX is making progress on its next rocket|publisher=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/03/04/spacex-is-making-progress-on-its-next-rocket|url-status=live|url-access=registration|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611004416/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/03/04/spacex-is-making-progress-on-its-next-rocket|archive-date=11 June 2021|issn=0013-0613}}</ref> It is {{cvt|50|m}} tall, {{cvt|9|m}} in diameter and has a total propellant capacity of {{cvt|1200|metric ton|lb}}.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/ |title=Starship page|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522145915/https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/|archive-date=22 May 2020|access-date=24 September 2021|publisher=SpaceX}}</ref> The bottom section houses six Raptors and [[composite overwrapped pressure vessel]]s which store gas used to spin the engines' turbopumps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=9 December 2020|title=SpaceX flies Starship prototype rocket to highest altitude yet — but doesn't stick the landing|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/9/22030125/spacex-starship-prototype-flight-test-12-5-kilometer-launch|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702043725/https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/9/22030125/spacex-starship-prototype-flight-test-12-5-kilometer-launch|archive-date=2 July 2021|quote=The final Starship will supposedly be equipped with six main Raptor engines — three optimized to be used at sea level and three optimized for use in the vacuum of space.}}</ref> Three of them are optimized for atmospheric pressure, and three for the vacuum of space.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=31 August 2021|title=Starbase Launch Tower enters Mechazilla installation phase|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/starbase-update-aug-2021/|url-status=live|access-date=9 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908131507/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/starbase-update-aug-2021/|archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref> Positioned above are the liquid oxygen and liquid methane propellant tanks, separated by a dome containing a small, spherical liquid methane header tank.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=15 November 2020|title=Starship SN8 hoping for speedy return to testing as additional vehicles line up|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/11/sn8-speedy-return-testing-vehicles-line-up/ |url-status=live|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212230201/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/11/sn8-speedy-return-testing-vehicles-line-up/|archive-date=12 December 2020}}</ref> On top of the tanks is the payload section houses a liquid oxygen header tank and payload.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=13 November 2020|title=Rocket Report: SpaceX set for second crew launch, Chinese firm reaches orbit|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/rocket-report-spacex-set-for-second-crew-launch-chinese-firm-reaches-orbit/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118055639/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/rocket-report-spacex-set-for-second-crew-launch-chinese-firm-reaches-orbit/|archive-date=18 November 2020|quote=After stacking a nose cone on top of its SN8 Starship prototype in late October, SpaceX engineers in Boca Chica, Texas, successfully proof-tested the liquid-oxygen header tank at the top of the vehicle.}}</ref> For Starship cargo, a large [[Clamshell (container)|clamshell door]] replaces conventional [[Payload fairing|payload fairings]], which can capture, store, and return payload to Earth. The door will close during launch, open to release payload once in orbit, then close again during reentry. In the Starship crewed variant, the payload bay will house cabins and other facilities.<ref name=":11">{{cite news|last=Duffy|first=Kate|date=6 July 2021|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starship could 'chomp up' space junk with its moving door on the way to Mars|publisher=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-chomp-up-space-junk-2021-7|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818125350/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-chomp-up-space-junk-2021-7|archive-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> To control the spacecraft attitude during reentry and descent, Starship moves two pairs of flaps install perpendicular to its body. They are composed of a larger pair of aft flaps that sit at the bottom of Starship, and a smaller pair of forward flaps are placed on the nose cone.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kanayama|first=Lee|last2=Beil|first2=Adrian|date=28 August 2021|title=SpaceX continues forward progress with Starship on Starhopper anniversary |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/starship-starhopper/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831011318/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/starship-starhopper/|archive-date=31 August 2021|quote=In the glide, the front and aft flaps both moved to guide the ship, ...}}</ref> The windward side of the spacecraft is covered by a [[heat shield]] made from hexagon tiles designed to withstand up to {{Cvt|1350|C|F}} and prevent [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]] to accelerate through the gap.<ref name=":14">{{cite news|last=Malik|first=Tariq|date=22 March 2019|title=SpaceX's Hexagon Tiles for Starship Heat Shield Pass Fiery Test|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-hexagon-heat-shield-tile-test.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306144630/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-hexagon-heat-shield-tile-test.html|archive-date=6 March 2021}}</ref> Simulations from SpaceX showed that 99.9% of Starship's [[kinetic energy]] can dissipate upon reentry to Earth, but the thinner Mars atmosphere can dissipate only 99% of its kinetic energy. From its horizontal position moving at [[terminal velocity]], Starship fires its engines to flip back up and slow itself down using propellant from its propellant header tanks.<ref name="spacex20191020">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=94&v=bysu8XN5OfY|title=SpaceX - Mars Society Convention 2019|date=20 October 2019|first=Paul|last=Wooster|time=47:30-49:00 |access-date=25 October 2019|quote=''Vehicle is designed to be able to land at the Earth, Moon or Mars. Depending on which [...] the ratio of the energy dissipated aerodynamically versus propulsively is quite different. In the case of the Moon, it's entirely propulsive. [...] Earth: over 99.9% of the energy is removed aerodynamically [...] Mars: over 99% of the energy is being removed aerodynamically at Mars''. |medium=video|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> === Ground infrastructure === [[File:SpaceX launch tower, under construction (51439001865).jpg|alt=A tall stell white launch tower with a platform on top|thumb|Starship launch tower at the Boca Chica launch site]] Starship may launch at [[SpaceX South Texas launch site|SpaceX's Boca Chica launch site]], [[SpaceX Starship offshore platforms|offshore platforms]], and [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A]] (LC-39A).<ref name="cnbc202009012">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=1 September 2020|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starship rocket will launch "hundreds of missions" before flying people|publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html|url-status=live|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902190003/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html|archive-date=2 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="nsf202101192">{{cite news|last=Burghardt|first=Thomas|date=19 January 2021|title=SpaceX acquires former oil rigs to serve as floating Starship spaceports|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/spacex-rigs-starship-spaceports/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120001114/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/spacex-rigs-starship-spaceports/|archive-date=20 January 2021|access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref> The Boca Chica launch site, referred to by [[SpaceX]] as Starbase,<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Starship SN11 High-Altitude Flight Test|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210327102331/https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|website=[[SpaceX]]|quote=...our fourth high-altitude flight test of a Starship prototype from Starbase in Texas.}}</ref><ref name="tm20140923">{{cite news|last1=Solomon|first1=Dan|date=23 September 2014|title=SpaceX Plans To Send People From Brownsville To Mars in Order To Save Mankind|work=TexasMonthly|url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/spacex-plans-send-people-brownsville-mars-order-save-mankind|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928180145/http://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/spacex-plans-send-people-brownsville-mars-order-save-mankind|archive-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> is likely to be the first site to launch Starship to orbit.<ref name=":16" /> The offshore platforms, named ''Phobos'' and ''Deimos'' after the [[moons of Mars]], were former [[Drilling rig|oil drilling rigs]] owned by [[Valaris plc|Valaris]]. As of October 2021, SpaceX is actively constructing the Boca Chica launch site and offshore platforms.<ref name="nsf202101192"/> The launch and landing pad might at least consist of a launch mount, a tower, and tanks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=8 March 2021|title=SpaceX reveals the grand extent of its starport plans in South Texas|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/spacex-reveals-the-grand-extent-of-its-starport-plans-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921144725/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/spacex-reveals-the-grand-extent-of-its-starport-plans-in-south-texas/|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Coppinger|first=Rob|date=27 September 2016|title=Elon Musk outlines Mars colony vision|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37486372|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512224119/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37486372|archive-date=12 May 2020}}</ref> The launch tower in Boca Chica measures {{cvt|146|m}} tall, consisting of {{cvt|143|m}} tall [[steel truss]] sections and a {{cvt|3|m}} tall lightning rod on top.<ref name=":32">{{cite web|date=16 March 2021|title=Form 7460-1 for ASN 2021-ASW-4185-OE|url=https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=474570805&row=115|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408192729/https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=474570805&row=115|archive-date=8 April 2021|access-date=6 September 2021 |website=Obstruction Evaluation / Airport Airspace Analysis by [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|publisher=SpaceX}}</ref> The launch tower has a pair of quick-disconnect claws and a large crane. These components allow the launch tower to lift, fuel, and stabilize Starships on the launch pad.<ref name=":72">{{cite news|last=Sankaran|first=Vishwam|date=15 September 2021|title=Photos of giant claw 'catching arms' at SpaceX starbase fuel wild speculation online|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/space/giant-claw-spacex-starbase-photo-b1918905.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916191710/https://www.independent.co.uk/space/giant-claw-spacex-starbase-photo-b1918905.html|archive-date=16 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="mechazilla2">{{cite news|last=Cuthbertson|first=Anthony|date=30 August 2021|title=SpaceX will use 'robot chopsticks' to catch massive rocket, Elon Musk says|newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-b1911138.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902055936/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-b1911138.html|archive-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> For landing, the rocket stages might touch down on [[Autonomous spaceport drone ship|drone ships]] or landing pads near the launch site.<ref name="bi2020061622">{{cite news|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=16 June 2020|title=Elon Musk: 'SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports' for its Starship rocket to reach the moon, Mars, and fly passengers around Earth|publisher=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-ocean-spaceports-offshore-engineer-job-posting-2020-6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617073600/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-ocean-spaceports-offshore-engineer-job-posting-2020-6|archive-date=17 June 2020|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> In the future, the launch tower might recover the Super Heavy booster, by having a cable system that matches the incoming booster's velocity and pair of mechanical steel arms that move around pivots.<ref name="mechazilla2" /><ref name="landing2">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=4 January 2021|title=SpaceX targets bold new 'catch' strategy for landing Super Heavy rockets|publisher=Space.com |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-landing-plans|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220140553/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-landing-plans|archive-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mack|first=Eric|date=4 January 2021|title=Elon Musk reveals wild plan to catch SpaceX's most powerful rocket with a launch tower|publisher=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-wild-plan-to-catch-spacex-rocket-with-a-launch-tower/|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302114312/https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-wild-plan-to-catch-spacex-rocket-with-a-launch-tower/|archive-date=2 March 2021}}</ref> The tower's arms catch the booster by closing and letting the booster's grid fins<!-- Grid fins are mentioned in reliable sources, pins aren't. Stop fixing it, unless you have sth other than @elonmusk tweets or Teslarati. --> touch down on them.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-08-19|title=Musk Confirms how "Mechazilla" Will Catch and Assemble Starship and Super Heavy for Rapid Reuse|url=https://www.universetoday.com/152221/musk-confirms-how-mechazilla-will-catch-and-assemble-starship-and-super-heavy-for-rapid-reuse/|access-date=2021-10-04|publisher=Universe Today|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930072552/https://www.universetoday.com/152221/musk-confirms-how-mechazilla-will-catch-and-assemble-starship-and-super-heavy-for-rapid-reuse/|url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- Not added because currently there's no reliable source covering on it, "The arms may also contain a continuous track that can move the caught rocket stage closer or further from the tower, and help properly align it to the launch mount". --> === Future variants === SpaceX plans to build variants of Starship optimized for its tasks. The original spacecraft design will be used to transport cargo on missions, and in the future, it may be spun off into a separate cargo variant.<ref name="cnbc20200901">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=1 September 2020|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starship rocket will launch "hundreds of missions" before flying people|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html|url-status=live|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902190003/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html|archive-date=2 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="sn20200901">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=1 September 2020|title=Musk emphasizes progress in Starship production over testing|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/musk-emphasizes-progress-in-starship-production-over-testing/|url-status=live|access-date=1 September 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> This variant is used to deliver, deploy and pick up cargo in orbit by a large cargo bay door that could open in space.<ref name="sn20190628">{{cite news|last=Henry|first=Caleb|date=28 June 2019|title=SpaceX targets 2021 commercial Starship launch|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-targets-2021-commercial-starship-launch/|url-status=live|access-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20190828053242/https://spacenews.com/spacex%2Dtargets%2D2021%2Dcommercial%2Dstarship%2Dlaunch/ |archive-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> Another variant named Starship tanker can transfer its propellant to [[Space rendezvous|rendezvoused]] spacecraft.<ref name=":9">{{cite news |last=Clark|first=Stephen|date=1 May 2020|title=NASA identifies risks in SpaceX's Starship lunar lander proposal|publisher=Spaceflight Now|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/01/nasa-identifies-risks-in-spacexs-starship-lunar-lander-proposal/|url-status=live|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203123719/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/01/nasa-identifies-risks-in-spacexs-starship-lunar-lander-proposal/|archive-date=3 February 2021}}</ref> By receiving fuel from tanker Starships, the spacecraft could travel to higher orbits or further destinations in the Solar System.<ref name=":9" /> SpaceX has mentioned another Starship variant that could carry passengers on sub-orbital transport flights across continents, which its president [[Gwynne Shotwell]] has predicted could be cost-competitive against business class airlines.<ref name="cnbc20190318" /> The spacecraft can go between spaceports on Earth, with a goal of 40 minutes flight time from [[New York City]] to [[Shanghai]].<ref name="cnbc20190318">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=18 March 2019|title=Super fast travel using outer space could be US$20 billion market, disrupting airlines, UBS predicts|publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/18/ubs-space-travel-and-space-tourism-a-23-billion-business-in-a-decade.html|url-status=live|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029110228/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/18/ubs-space-travel-and-space-tourism-a-23-billion-business-in-a-decade.html|archive-date=29 October 2019}}</ref> At the 67th International Astronautical Congress, SpaceX's CEO [[Elon Musk]] outlined that Starship Mars's variant might carry 100 passengers and cargo to Mars.<ref name="cnbc20200901" /> In April 2021, NASA contracted SpaceX to design and manufacture the [[Starship HLS|Starship Human Landing System]] (Starship HLS), a modified Starship spacecraft. It serves as the crewed lunar lander for the Artemis program.<ref name="sn20210416">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=16 April 2021|title=NASA selects SpaceX to develop crewed lunar lander|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-spacex-to-develop-crewed-lunar-lander/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521102045/https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-spacex-to-develop-crewed-lunar-lander/|archive-date=21 May 2021 |access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref> Starship HLS has significant differences from the main design, for example, the lack of heat shield and body flaps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Howell|first=Elizabeth|date=30 August 2021|title=How NASA's Artemis moon landing with astronauts works|page=3|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/artemis-program-NASA-astronauts-to-moon-explained|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905163233/https://www.space.com/artemis-program-NASA-astronauts-to-moon-explained|archive-date=5 September 2021|quote=The Starship HLS version is still under development, but multiple media reports suggest the landing spacecraft will not have a heat shield as the moon has no substantial atmosphere.}}</ref> This spacecraft will have a [[Docking and berthing of spacecraft|docking system]], [[Solar cell panel|solar panels]], and extra landing thrusters placed at the middle of the ship to minimize thrown lunar dust.<ref name="cummings20200611">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEnz8V97Qck&t=2100 |title=Human Landing System: Putting Boots Back on the Moon|date=11 June 2020|last=Cummings|first=Nick|time=35:00–36:02|access-date=12 June 2020|quote=[...] for the terminal descent of Starship, a few tens of meters before we touch down on the lunar surface, we actually use a high-thrust RCS system, so that we don't impinge on the surface of the Moon with the high-thrust Raptor engines. [...] uses the same methane and oxygen propellants as Raptor.|publisher=American Astronautical Society|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burghardt|first=Thomas|date=20 April 2021|title=After NASA taps SpaceX's Starship for first Artemis landings, agency looks to on-ramp future vehicles|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/nasa-starship-first-landings-on-ramp/|url-status=live|access-date=14 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420213049/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/nasa-starship-first-landings-on-ramp/|archive-date=20 April 2021}}</ref> Another unrelated Starship variant is also envisioned by SpaceX, capable of launching heavy payloads to the Moon's surface for the [[Commercial Lunar Payload Services]] program.<ref name="VERGE201911182">{{cite news|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=18 November 2019 |title=NASA partners with SpaceX, Blue Origin, and more to send large payloads to the Moon 5 - The companies are aiming to land in the early 2020s|publisher=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/18/20971307/nasa-clps-program-spacex-blue-origin-sierra-nevada-ceres-tyvak-viper-rover|url-status=live|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206171516/https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/18/20971307/nasa-clps-program-spacex-blue-origin-sierra-nevada-ceres-tyvak-viper-rover|archive-date=6 December 2019}}</ref> == Operations== === Planned missions === [[File:Starship HLS Moon landing.jpg|alt=Artist depiction of a large white lunar lander on the Moon, with the crews nearby|thumb|Artist depiction by SpaceX of Starship HLS offloading astronauts and cargo onto the lunar surface]]SpaceX aims for Starship to replace its current [[Falcon 9]], [[Falcon Heavy]], and [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Dragon 2]] fleet and take cargo to orbit cheaply.<ref name="nsf20170929">{{cite news|last=Gebhardt |first=Chris|date=29 September 2017|title=The Moon, Mars, and around the Earth – Musk updates BFR architecture, plans|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/the-moon-mars-earth-musk-updates-bfr-plans/|url-status=live|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001081759/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/the-moon-mars-earth-musk-updates-bfr-plans/|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com |archive-date=1 October 2017}}</ref> In November 2019, Musk estimated that a Starship launch might cost US$2 million, US$900,000 of propellant cost.<ref>{{cite news|last=Etherington|first=Darrell |date=6 November 2019|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starship could fly for as little as US$2 million per launch|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/06/elon-musk-says-spacexs-starship-could-fly-for-as-little-as-2-million-per-launch/|url-status=live|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107072234/https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/06/elon-musk-says-spacexs-starship-could-fly-for-as-little-as-2-million-per-launch/|archive-date=7 November 2019}}</ref> Starship could place up to four hundred [[Starlink|Starlink satellites]] into orbit, whereas the Falcon 9 can only carry up to 60 satellites into orbit per flight.<ref name="cnbc20200901" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Brodkin|first=Jon|date=15 November 2018|title=FCC tells SpaceX it can deploy up to 11,943 broadband satellites|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/11/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-for-7500-more-broadband-satellites/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160132/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/11/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-for-7500-more-broadband-satellites/|archive-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> On 14 September 2018, the first private contract was announced by Japanese entrepreneur [[Yusaku Maezawa]], a private [[space tourism]] mission called the [[DearMoon project|''dearMoon'' project]].<ref name="grush">{{cite web|last1=Grush|first1=Loren|date=14 September 2018|title=SpaceX says it will send someone around the Moon on its future monster rocket |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/17857872/spacex-moon-trip-passenger-announcement-bfr|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914032806/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/17857872/spacex-moon-trip-passenger-announcement-bfr|archive-date=14 September 2018|access-date=15 September 2018|publisher=The Verge}}</ref> Starship in this mission would perform a [[trans-lunar injection]], circle the Moon, and return to Earth.<ref name="grush2">{{cite web|last1=Grush|first1=Loren|date=14 September 2018 |title=SpaceX says it will send someone around the Moon on its future monster rocket|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/17857872/spacex-moon-trip-passenger-announcement-bfr|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914032806/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/17857872/spacex-moon-trip-passenger-announcement-bfr|archive-date=14 September 2018|access-date=15 September 2018|publisher=The Verge}}</ref> As of October 2021, the mission's crew might consist of Maezawa and ten to twelve other people.<ref name="03032021CNBC">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=2 March 2021|title=Japanese billionaire to fly eight members of the public on SpaceX moon flight|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/02/yusaku-maezawa-opens-up-public-seats-on-spacex-starship-moon-flight.html|url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303135147/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/02/yusaku-maezawa-opens-up-public-seats-on-spacex-starship-moon-flight.html|archive-date=3 March 2021}}</ref> In October 2020, NASA provided US$53.2 million to SpaceX to demonstrate {{cvt|10|metric ton}} of cryogenic propellant transfer between two Starships.<ref name="auto1">{{cite press release|title=2020 NASA Tipping Point Selections|date=13 October 2020|publisher=NASA|url=http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/solicitations/tipping_points/2020_selections|last1=Hall|first1=Loura|access-date=19 October 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019084046/https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/solicitations/tipping_points/2020_selections/|archive-date=19 October 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> On 16 April 2021, [[NASA]] selected [[Starship HLS]] and awarded SpaceX a US$2.89 billion contract over [[Integrated Lander Vehicle]] and [[Dynetics HLS]].<ref name="ars20210416">{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=16 April 2021|title=NASA selects SpaceX as its sole provider for a lunar lander|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/nasa-selects-spacex-as-its-sole-provider-for-a-lunar-lander/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417003215/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/nasa-selects-spacex-as-its-sole-provider-for-a-lunar-lander/|archive-date=17 April 2021|quote=SpaceX has largely self-funded development of the large Starship vehicle for about five years...}}</ref><ref name="NASAannouncementApril16">{{cite press release|title=As Artemis Moves Forward, NASA Picks SpaceX to Land Next Americans on Moon|date=16 April 2021|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacex-to-land-next-americans-on-moon|quote=The firm-fixed price, milestone-based contract total award value is US$2.89 billion.|last1=Brown|first1=Katherine|access-date=16 April 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416221751/http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacex-to-land-next-americans-on-moon/|archive-date=16 April 2021 |publisher=NASA}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="WaPoApril16">{{cite news|last=Davenport|first=Christian|date=16 April 2021|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX wins contract to develop spacecraft to land astronauts on the moon|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/04/16/nasa-lunar-lander-contract-spacex/|url-status=live|access-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416175151/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/04/16/nasa-lunar-lander-contract-spacex/|archive-date=16 April 2021|quote=In winning the US$2.9 billion contract, SpaceX beat out Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, [...] SpaceX also won over Dynetics, a defense contractor based in Huntsville, Alabama}}</ref> Starship HLS will perform an uncrewed landing demonstration and an [[Artemis 3]] crewed lunar landing mission.<ref name="ars20210416" /> In June 2021, the [[United States Air Force]] updated the [[Rocket Cargo]] program and began assessing the use of rockets to transport payload between [[Spaceport|spaceports]] on Earth.<ref>{{cite news|last=Howell|first=Elizabeth|date=7 June 2021|title=US Air Force wants a commercial Rocket Cargo Vanguard to fly stuff anywhere on Earth|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/air-force-rocket-cargo-vanguard-commercial-rockets|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613080831/https://www.space.com/air-force-rocket-cargo-vanguard-commercial-rockets|archive-date=13 June 2021}}</ref> Although the Air Force does not specify what rocket is under the program, media sources speculated that Starship might be the launch system that matches the proposal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=4 June 2021|title=The Pentagon wants to use private rockets like SpaceX's Starship to deliver cargo around the world|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/04/us-military-rocket-cargo-program-for-spacexs-starship-and-others.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901090644/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/04/us-military-rocket-cargo-program-for-spacexs-starship-and-others.html|archive-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> === Envisioned space colonization programs === {{main|SpaceX Mars program}} [[File:Artist’s rendering of the approach to Mars.jpg|alt=A white spaceship that is close to Mars|thumb|Artist depiction by SpaceX of ITS in close approach to Mars]] SpaceX has stated that its goal is to kick-start [[Colonization of Mars|Mars colonization]] and [[Terraforming of Mars|terraforming]] by its launch vehicles.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|last=Rincon |first=Paul|date=7 August 2021|title=What is Elon Musk's Starship?|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55564448|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316143042/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55564448|archive-date=16 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wroth|first=Carmel|date=29 September 2019|title=Elon Musk Unveils SpaceX's New Starship, Designed To Fly To The Moon, Mars And Beyond|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/09/29/765526405/elon-musk-unveils-spacexs-new-starship-designed-to-fly-to-the-moon-mars-and-beyo|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=9 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809130550/https://www.npr.org/2019/09/29/765526405/elon-musk-unveils-spacexs-new-starship-designed-to-fly-to-the-moon-mars-and-beyo|url-status=live}}</ref> Musk has stated that the main reason for the goal is for the [[Space and survival|long-term survival of the human species]] and to inspire legislators to fund spaceflight more.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=23 April 2021|title=Elon Musk wants SpaceX to reach Mars so humanity is not a 'single-planet species' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/elon-musk-aiming-for-mars-so-humanity-is-not-a-single-planet-species.html|url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2021|publisher=CNBC|archive-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002130927/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/elon-musk-aiming-for-mars-so-humanity-is-not-a-single-planet-species.html}}</ref> From 2011 to 2017, the company conceived a spacecraft concept capable of transporting crew and cargo to Mars called ''[[SpaceX Red Dragon|Red Dragon]]'', a modified [[SpaceX Dragon|Dragon capsule]].<ref name="March 2014">{{cite news|last=David |first=Leonard|date=7 March 2014|title=Project 'Red Dragon': Mars Sample-Return Mission Could Launch in 2022 with SpaceX Capsule|publisher=Space.com|url=http://www.space.com/24984-spacex-mars-mission-red-dragon.html|access-date=8 March 2014|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302085401/https://www.space.com/24984-spacex-mars-mission-red-dragon.html|url-status=live}}</ref> If such a program ever existed, it likely uses Starship as the main launch vehicle, funded by both the public and private entities as well as using Mars resources.<ref name="Crunch 20172">{{cite news |last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=29 September 2017|title=Everything SpaceX revealed about its updated plan to reach Mars by 2022|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/28/everything-spacex-revealed-about-its-updated-plan-to-reach-mars-by-2022/|access-date=14 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230111054/https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/28/everything-spacex-revealed-about-its-updated-plan-to-reach-mars-by-2022/|archive-date=30 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="sn20161010">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=10 October 2016|title=Can Elon Musk get to Mars?|publisher=SpaceNews |url=http://www.spacenewsmag.com/feature/can-elon-musk-get-to-mars/|url-status=live|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013071335/http://www.spacenewsmag.com/feature/can-elon-musk-get-to-mars/|archive-date=13 October 2016}}</ref> Musk estimated that a Mars city containing a million people would be self-sustaining, which need at least ten thousand crewed Starship and a hundred thousand Starship carrying cargo excluding local population growth.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andersen |first=Ross|date=30 September 2014|title=Exodus|url=http://aeon.co/magazine/technology/the-elon-musk-interview-on-mars/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612073942/http://aeon.co/magazine/technology/the-elon-musk-interview-on-mars/|archive-date=June 12, 2015|access-date=27 January 2016|work=Aeon}}</ref> Before astronauts go to Mars, cargo Starships launch requisite equipment to Mars' surface, including a fertilizer factory, a propellant factory, and construction materials for assembling [[Geodesic dome|geodesic domes]] covering farmland.<ref name="dn20121213">{{Cite news|last=Coppinger|first=Rob|date=23 November 2012|title=Huge Mars Colony Eyed by SpaceX Founder Elon Musk|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/18596-mars-colony-spacex-elon-musk.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227220646/https://www.space.com/18596-mars-colony-spacex-elon-musk.html|archive-date=27 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="tss20140321b">{{cite AV media|url=https://thespaceshow.com/show/21-mar-2014/broadcast-2212-special-edition|title=Broadcast 2212: Special Edition, interview with Gwynne Shotwell|date=21 March 2014|first=Gwynne|last=Shotwell|medium=audio file|publisher=The Space Show|time=29:45–30:40|access-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013556/http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2212-BWB-2014-03-21.mp3|archive-date=22 March 2014|url-status=live|id=2212|quote=''would have to throw a bunch of stuff before you start putting people there. [...] It is a transportation system between Earth and Mars.''}}</ref> The propellant factory takes in carbon dioxide from Mars's atmosphere and hydrogen from underground ice. Afterward, the factory uses the [[Sabatier reaction]] to create liquid methane and liquid oxygen.<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":5">{{cite news|last=Gohd|first=Chelsea|date=8 January 2021 |title=Future astronauts could make methane rocket fuel on Mars |language=en |work=[[Space.com]] |url=https://www.space.com/future-astronauts-methane-rocket-fuel-mars |access-date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204171954/https://www.space.com/future-astronauts-methane-rocket-fuel-mars|url-status=live}}</ref> The spacecraft can launch from Mars to Earth, provided it is refueled by propellant produced on Mars by the factory.<ref name=":5"/> At the 67th International Astronautical Congress, Musk outlined that the Mars Starship's variant might carry cargo and 100 passengers to Mars.<ref name="cnbc20200901"/> It might have {{cvt|825|m3}} of pressurized space, about forty cabins, storage space, a galley, an entertainment area, and a [[solar storm]] shelter to protect against [[ionizing radiation]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Clifford|first=Catherine |date=29 November 2017|title=Here's what it will be like to travel to Mars in Elon Musk's spaceship|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/what-it-will-be-like-to-travel-to-mars-in-elon-musks-spaceship.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518144928/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/what-it-will-be-like-to-travel-to-mars-in-elon-musks-spaceship.html|archive-date=18 May 2021}}</ref> At that conference, Musk presented conceptual missions to further destinations such as [[Enceladus]], [[Europa (moon)|Europa]], [[Pluto]], and the [[Oort cloud]], that may launch from Mars.<ref name="nsf20160927a">{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=27 September 2016|title=SpaceX reveals ITS Mars game changer via colonization plan|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/spacex-reveals-mars-game-changer-colonization-plan/|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928154300/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/spacex-reveals-mars-game-changer-colonization-plan/|archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="gw-20160927">{{cite news|last=Boyle|first=Alan|date=September 27, 2016|title=SpaceX's Elon Musk makes the big pitch for his decades-long plan to colonize Mars|work=[[GeekWire]]|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/spacex-elon-musk-colonize-mars/|url-status=live|access-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003205159/http://www.geekwire.com/2016/spacex-elon-musk-colonize-mars/|archive-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref> === Criticism and controversies === [[File:Elon_&_The_Starship_(50710186528).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|alt=Photograph of Elon Musk alongside the remains of Starship|Starship SN8 remains after it crashed to the ground]]Residents of [[Boca Chica Village, Texas|Boca Chica Village]] and [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], along with environmental activists, have criticized the Starship development program, stating that SpaceX has harmed local wildlife, conducted unauthorized test flights along with infrastructure's construction, and polluted the area with noise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=14 July 2021|title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|archive-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina|date=11 February 2020|title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly|publisher=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|archive-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=John|date=21 June 2021|title=SpaceX's New Rocket Factory Is Making Its Texas Neighbors Mad|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132224/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webner|first=Richard|date=13 July 2021|title='It just shouldn't be going on here'; Brownsville activists say Elon Musk's SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190114/https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Environmental groups have warned that SpaceX's Starship program threatens wildlife in the area, including 18 vulnerable and endangered species.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=2021-09-05|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site threatens wildlife, Texas environmental groups say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100945/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-07-28|title=As SpaceX races to expand launch site, concern grows for wildlife habitats in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Courthouse News|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050646/https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/}}</ref> Parts of the wildlife refuge were littered with rocket debris after failed test launches, which took three months to clean up.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=De La Rosa|first=Pablo|date=13 May 2021|title=As SpaceX Ramps Up Activity In The Rio Grande Valley, Local Concerns Grow|url=https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513005107/https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> A [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] employee complained of "unauthorized encroachments and trespass on the refuge" by SpaceX employees.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=SpaceX launch site brings controversy to Texas town|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launch-site-boca-chica-texas-60-minutes-plus/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en}}</ref> The Fish and Wildlife Service also claimed that SpaceX exceeded 1,000 hours of highway closures in 2019, well above the 300 hours they were permitted.<ref name=":22" /> SpaceX proceeded with SN8 launch and ignored [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s (FAA) warnings that the flight profile posed an unacceptable risk to the uninvolved public in the event of an explosion.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-06-15|title=SpaceX ignored last-minute warnings from the FAA before December Starship launch|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006042131/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-01-29|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX violated its launch license in explosive Starship test, triggering an FAA probe|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930204618/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-29|title=Congress raises concerns about FAA’s handling of Starship launch license violation|url=https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009133103/https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|url-status=live}}</ref> FAA space division chief [[Wayne Monteith]] said SpaceX's violation was “inconsistent with a strong safety culture", and criticized the company for proceeding with the launch “based on ‘impressions’ and ‘assumptions,’ rather than procedural checks and positive affirmations".<ref name=":21" /> Members of Congress voiced concerns about the FAA's response to SpaceX's launch license violations, calling on the FAA to "resist any potential undue influence on launch safety decision-making".<ref name=":20" /> Responding to these environmental concerns, as of October 2021, the FAA allows the public to comment until 1 November on the Boca Chica launch site's [[environmental impact statement]] draft, released on 19 September.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shepardson|first=David|date=30 September 2021|title=U.S. extends environmental review for SpaceX program in Texas|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/us-extends-environmental-review-spacex-program-texas-2021-09-30/|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001211318/https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/us-extends-environmental-review-spacex-program-texas-2021-09-30/|archive-date=1 October 2021}}</ref> Experts commented that SpaceX's programmatic environmental assessment is missing important details about where its fuel will come from such as how SpaceX is planning to build a 250-megawatt gas-fired power plant without specifying how SpaceX plans to get tens of millions of cubic feet of gas to the plant per day. Pat Parenteau, a law professor and senior counsel for the Environmental Advocacy Clinic at [[Vermont Law School]], noted how unusual it was for such details to not get mentioned in the programmatic environmental assessment and thus could violate the U.S. [[National Environmental Policy Act]].<ref name=":192">{{Cite web|title=The mystery of Elon Musk’s missing gas|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2021/10/08/the-mystery-of-elon-musks-missing-gas/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009132859/https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/08/the-mystery-of-elon-musks-missing-gas/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the other side, spaceflight enthusiasts and space news correspondents have applauded SpaceX's transparency because the public can be very close to the launch site.<ref>{{cite news|last=Macon|first=Alex|date=15 December 2020|title=When SpaceX Rockets Take Flight (Or Blow Up), LabPadre Is Watching|publisher=Texas Monthly|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/spacex-rockets-launch-labpadre-livestream/|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929072524/https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/spacex-rockets-launch-labpadre-livestream/|archive-date=29 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wattles|first=Jackie|date=9 April 2021|title=US$200,000 streaming rigs and millions of views: inside the cottage industry popping up around SpaceX|publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/tech/spacex-starship-livestream-youtube-scn/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622080600/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/tech/spacex-starship-livestream-youtube-scn/index.html|archive-date=22 June 2021}}</ref> == Development == {{For2|further information|[[SpaceX Starship development history]]|a list of test articles flights|[[List of SpaceX Starship launches]]}} === Design process === [[File:BFR in flight (cropped)-2018 version.png|alt=Artist's depiction of a white rocket, consisting of the booster firing its engines and the spacecraft at the top with its fins|thumb|Artist depiction by SpaceX of Big Falcon Rocket in flight]] The first reference by SpaceX of a rocket concept which has Starship lifting capabilities was in 2005. In a student conference, Musk briefly mentioned a theoretical [[Heavy-lift launch vehicle|heavy‑lift launch vehicle]] code-named BFR, later known as the Falcon XX.<ref>{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=14 November 2005|title=Big plans for SpaceX|publisher=The Space Review|url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/497/1|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124153155/http://www.thespacereview.com/article/497/1|archive-date=24 November 2005}}</ref> It would be powered by a larger version of the [[SpaceX Merlin|Merlin]] engine, called Merlin 2 and has a lifting capability of {{Cvt|140|metric ton|lb}} to low Earth orbit.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web|last=Markusic|first=Tom|date=28 July 2010|title=Series of presentation of SpaceX in July 2010|url=https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22395.msg623684#msg623684;attach=241178;sess=0|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030193349/http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22395.msg623684#msg623684;attach=241178;sess=0|archive-date=30 October 2013|access-date=9 October 2021|publisher=[[SpaceX]]|page=4|type=pdf}}</ref> In 2012, in a public discussion about a conceptual Mars colonization program, Musk described the Mars Colonial Transporter. It is envisioned as a reusable [[super heavy-lift launch vehicle]] that could deliver approximately {{cvt|150|to|200|metric ton|lb}} to [[low Earth orbit]]. The Mars Colonial Transporter might be powered by Raptors, consuming liquid methane and liquid oxygen.<ref name="dn20121213" /> In September 2016, at the 67th [[International Astronautical Congress]], Musk announced the Interplanetary Transport System (ITS), a conceptual reusable rocket conceived to launch humans to Mars and other destinations in the [[Solar System]]. The ITS is {{cvt|122|m}} tall, {{cvt|12|m}} wide, and capable of lifting {{cvt|300|metric ton|lb}} to low Earth orbit.<ref name="nsf20160927a" /> Both stages of the rocket are made from carbon composites. The first stage or booster named Interplanetary Transport System booster is powered by 42 Raptors, and the second stage or spacecraft named Interplanetary Spaceship is powered by nine Raptors.<ref name="nsf20161003">{{cite news|last=Belluscio|first=Alejandro G.|date=3 October 2016|title=ITS Propulsion – The evolution of the SpaceX Raptor engine|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/its-propulsion-evolution-raptor-engine/|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122165306/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/its-propulsion-evolution-raptor-engine/|archive-date=22 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Weitering|first=Hanneke|date=27 September 2016|title=SpaceX's Interplanetary Transport System for Mars Colonization in Images|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/34213-spacex-interplanetary-transport-mars-flights-in-images.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420094645/https://www.space.com/34213-spacex-interplanetary-transport-mars-flights-in-images.html|archive-date=20 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=24 October 2016|title=Elon Musk is about to test the 'trickiest' part of his Mars spaceship — a giant, potentially explosive black orb|publisher=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-carbon-fiber-fuel-tank-ocean-ship-test-2016-10|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420112503/https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-carbon-fiber-fuel-tank-ocean-ship-test-2016-10|archive-date=20 April 2019}}</ref> While in Earth orbit, if an Interplanetary Spaceship was refueled by other Interplanetary Spaceships, it [[delta-v|can accelerate]] to Mars.<ref name="sfi20160927">{{cite news|last=Richardson|first=Derek|date=27 September 2016|title=Elon Musk Shows Off Interplanetary Transport System|publisher=Spaceflight Insider|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/elon-musk-shows-off-interplanetary-transport-system/|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001225649/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/elon-musk-shows-off-interplanetary-transport-system/|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> When an Interplanetary Spaceship enters the atmosphere, it cools itself via [[Transpiration cooling|transpiration]] and controls the spacecraft's descent to the ground by moving its [[delta wing|delta wings]] and [[Split flap|split flaps]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=16 February 2019|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX is developing a 'bleeding' heavy-metal rocket ship. Making it work may be 100 times as hard as NASA's most difficult Mars mission, one expert says.|publisher=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starship-bleeding-transpirational-atmospheric-reentry-system-challenges-2019-2|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712132123/https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starship-bleeding-transpirational-atmospheric-reentry-system-challenges-2019-2|archive-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> At the 68th International Astronautical Congress the following September, Musk announced a replacement rocket {{cvt|106|m}} tall and {{cvt|9|m}} wide called the Big Falcon Rocket or informally Big Fucking Rocket.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malik|first=Tariq|date=14 September 2018|title=SpaceX Has Apparently Tweaked Its Giant BFR Rocket Design. And It Looks Awesome!|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/41825-spacex-giant-bfr-rocket-moon-flight-design-art.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825155706/https://www.space.com/41825-spacex-giant-bfr-rocket-moon-flight-design-art.html|archive-date=25 August 2021}}</ref> In that conference, he talked about a possible [[Sub-orbital spaceflight#Sub-orbital transportation|suborbital transportation]] feature and termed it Earth to Earth.<ref name="bi202006162">{{cite news|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=16 June 2020|title=Elon Musk: 'SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports' for its Starship rocket to reach the moon, Mars, and fly passengers around Earth|publisher=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-ocean-spaceports-offshore-engineer-job-posting-2020-6|url-status=live|access-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617073600/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-ocean-spaceports-offshore-engineer-job-posting-2020-6|archive-date=17 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="nsf20210119">{{cite news|last=Burghardt|first=Thomas|date=19 January 2021|title=SpaceX acquires former oil rigs to serve as floating Starship spaceports|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/spacex-rigs-starship-spaceports/|url-status=live|access-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120001114/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/spacex-rigs-starship-spaceports/|archive-date=20 January 2021}}</ref> In November 2018, the present names of the launch vehicle were first used: Super Heavy for the booster, Starship for the spacecraft, and Starship system or just Starship for the whole launch vehicle.<ref>{{cite news|date=20 November 2018|title=SpaceX's Elon Musk renames his big rocket 'Starship'|publisher=phys.org|url=https://phys.org/news/2018-11-spacex-elon-musk-renames-big.html|url-status=live|access-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618101716/https://phys.org/news/2018-11-spacex-elon-musk-renames-big.html|archive-date=18 June 2021}}</ref> Around that time, Musk announced a redesigned spacecraft concept that has three aft flaps and two forward flaps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=17 September 2018|title=Elon Musk reveals updated design for future SpaceX Mars rocket|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/17/17871724/spacex-big-falcon-rocket-bfr-mars-design-elon-musk|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412040645/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/17/17871724/spacex-big-falcon-rocket-bfr-mars-design-elon-musk|archive-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> In January 2019, Musk announced that Starship will be made from stainless steel<ref>{{cite news|last=D'Agostino|first=Ryan|date=22 January 2019|title=Elon Musk: Why I'm Building the Starship out of Stainless Steel|publisher=Popular Mechanics|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a25953663/elon-musk-spacex-bfr-stainless-steel/|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122161633/https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a25953663/elon-musk-spacex-bfr-stainless-steel/|archive-date=22 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=23 January 2019|title=Why Elon Musk Turned to Stainless Steel for SpaceX's Starship Mars Rocket|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/43101-elon-musk-explains-stainless-steel-starship.html|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203064031/https://www.space.com/43101-elon-musk-explains-stainless-steel-starship.html|archive-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> and stated that a stainless-steel Starship might be stronger than a similar mass carbon-composite rocket in a wide range of temperatures.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=8 January 2019|title=Here's why Elon Musk is tweeting constantly about a stainless-steel starship|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/01/elon-musk-is-really-really-excited-about-his-starship/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209005033/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/01/elon-musk-is-really-really-excited-about-his-starship/|archive-date=9 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=24 December 2018|title=Musk teases new details about redesigned next-generation launch system|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/musk-teases-new-details-about-redesigned-next-generation-launch-system/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20181225012035/https://spacenews.com/musk-teases-new-details-about-redesigned-next-generation-launch-system/|archive-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> The new design opted for a heat shield composed of hexagonal ceramic tiles instead of the more complicated transpiration cooling feature.<ref name=":14" /> In October 2019, the Starship spacecraft's engine configuration was changed to its present form: three Raptors optimized for atmospheric pressure and three optimized for the vacuum of space.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=20 October 2020|title=SpaceX fires up 3-engine Starship SN8 prototype ahead of epic test flight|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-prototype-static-fire|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227011643/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-prototype-static-fire|archive-date=27 February 2021|quote=The many prototypes are all informing the final design of Starship, which Musk has said will be powered by six Raptors — three "sea level" versions like the ones that fired up this morning, and three "vacuum" variants with much larger nozzles, which are optimized for in-space use.}}</ref> The number of rear fins in this new design was reduced from three to two and were placed at the heat shield's edges.<ref>{{cite news|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=30 September 2019|title=SpaceX details Starship and Super Heavy in new website|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2019/09/30/spacex-details-starship-and-super-heavy-in-new-website/|url-status=live|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911032447/https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/30/spacex-details-starship-and-super-heavy-in-new-website/|archive-date=11 September 2021}}</ref> === Testing campaign === [[File:SpaceX SN5 Starship 150m Hop & Powerslide.jpg|alt=A steel rocket stage hovering with an engine|thumb|SN5's hop at the Boca Chica launch site, firing a Raptor]] The [[SpaceX South Texas launch site|Boca Chica launch site]] is the primary facility for developing and testing Starship.<ref name="ars20210416" /> Starship test articles before launch are needed to pass the ambient-temperature pressure test, cryogenic [[proof test]], and [[static fire]] test. The ambient-temperature pressure test involves the stage's tanks filling inert room-temperature nitrogen gas to highlight leaks. After that, the cryogenic proof test assesses the vessel's strength by loading, then unloading, [[liquid nitrogen]].<ref name=":4">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=27 April 2020|title=Starship passes key pressurization test|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/starship-passes-key-pressurization-test/|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2021|quote=The Starship SN4 vehicle [...] was loaded with liquid nitrogen, a test designed to confirm its ability to hold cryogenic propellants at pressure. That test came a day after a pressurization test where the tanks were filled with gaseous nitrogen at ambient temperatures.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Finally, a static fire test confirms the engines' installation by loading propellant into a stage's tanks and firing the rocket engines.<ref name=":15">{{cite news|last=Tariq|first=Malik|date=20 July 2021|title=SpaceX test fires massive Super Heavy booster for Starship for 1st time (video)|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-rocket-booster-engine-test|url-status=live|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803210509/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-rocket-booster-engine-test|archive-date=3 August 2021}}</ref> Verified test articles will launch in different flight paths, depending on their objectives. On 27 August 2019, a simplified test article named ''Starhopper'' hopped {{cvt|150|m}} high.<ref name="spacenews20190827">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=27 August 2019|title=SpaceX's Starhopper completes test flight|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/spacexs-starhopper-completes-test-flight/|url-status=live|access-date=28 August 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Unveiled in a SpaceX event in September 2019, Starship Mk1 (Mark 1) was the first full‑scale Starship test article to be built, and the Mk2 in Florida was constructed five months later.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|date=5 October 2019|title=SpaceX's Starship is a new kind of rocket, in every sense|publisher=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/10/05/spacexs-starship-is-a-new-kind-of-rocket-in-every-sense|url-status=live|access-date=23 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111225747/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/10/05/spacexs-starship-is-a-new-kind-of-rocket-in-every-sense|archive-date=11 November 2019}}</ref> Despite that, both test articles had not flown: Mk1 failed a cryogenic proof test and Mk2 was scrapped for parts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Marley|first=Ronnie|date=20 November 2019|title=SpaceX moving to MK3 vehicle following incident at Boca Chica Facility|publisher=CBS News|url=https://valleycentral.com/news/local/spacex-starship-mk1-explodes-at-boca-chica-facility|url-status=live|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217150935/https://valleycentral.com/news/local/spacex-starship-mk1-explodes-at-boca-chica-facility|archive-date=17 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="verge-20191120">{{cite news|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=20 November 2019|title=SpaceX's prototype Starship rocket partially bursts during testing in Texas|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/20/20974884/spacex-starship-rocket-prototype-failure-test-texas|url-status=live|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121085720/https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/20/20974884/spacex-starship-rocket-prototype-failure-test-texas|archive-date=21 November 2019}}</ref> In early 2020, SpaceX changed the then-constructing Mk3's name to SN1 (serial number 1).<ref>{{cite news|last=Torbet|first=Georgina|date=27 April 2020|title=SpaceX Starship Successfully Passes Pressure Testing|publisher=Digital Trends|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/spacex-starship-sn4-pass-pressure-test/|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301073531/https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/spacex-starship-sn4-pass-pressure-test/|archive-date=1 March 2021}}</ref> During a cryogenic proof test on 28 February 2021, a fault in SN1's bottom tank caused it to crumble. On 8 March 2020, SN2 (Mk4) as a stripped-down test tank completed its only cryogenic proof test.<ref name="space-20200310">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=10 March 2020|title=SpaceX's latest Starship prototype passes big tank pressure test|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn2-prototype-pressure-test.html|url-status=live|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311202449/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn2-prototype-pressure-test.html|archive-date=11 March 2020}}</ref> On 3 April 2020, during SN3's cryogenic proof test, a valve leaked the liquid nitrogen inside its lower tank, causing the vessel to depressurize and collapse the test article.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bartels|first=Meghan|date=3 April 2020|title=SpaceX's Starship SN3 prototype collapses in pressure tank test|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn3-pressure-test-failure.html|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918053840/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn3-pressure-test-failure.html|archive-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> After SN4's fifth successful static fire test on 29 May 2020, the [[Quick connect fitting|quick disconnect fuel line]] exploded the test article.<ref name="sn20200529">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=29 May 2020|title=SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed after static-fire test|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-starship-prototype-destroyed-after-static-fire-test/|url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918121721/https://spacenews.com/spacex-starship-prototype-destroyed-after-static-fire-test/|archive-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> On 4 August 2020, SN5 completed a {{cvt|150|m}} hop using a single Raptor, becoming the first full-scale test article to complete a flight test and be intact.<ref name="techcrunch-20200804">{{cite news|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=5 August 2020|title=SpaceX Successfully Flies its Starship Prototype to a Height of Around 500 Feet|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/04/spacex-successfully-flies-its-starship-prototype-to-a-height-of-around-500-feet/|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519235715/https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/04/spacex-successfully-flies-its-starship-prototype-to-a-height-of-around-500-feet/|archive-date=19 May 2021}}</ref> On 24 August 2020, SN6 replicated SN5's flight path successfully.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=9 September 2020|title=Watch SpaceX's SN6 Starship prototype soar on test flight (video)|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn6-prototype-test-flight-video.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829122256/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn6-prototype-test-flight-video.html|archive-date=29 August 2021}}</ref> SN7 was not completed, but as of October 2021, its tanks are used for various experiments.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malik|first=Tariq|date=23 June 2020|title=Boom! SpaceX pops huge Starship SN7 test tank on purpose in pressure test (videos)|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn7-test-tank-destroyed-videos.html|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719130934/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn7-test-tank-destroyed-videos.html|archive-date=19 July 2020}}</ref> SN8 is the first complete Starship spacecraft test article, which has three atmosphere-optimized Raptors, a [[nose cone]], and two pairs of body flaps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wattles|first=Jackie|date=10 December 2020|title=Space X's Mars prototype rocket exploded yesterday. Here's what happened on the flight|publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/tech/spacex-starship-sn8-test-flight-recap-scn/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210223909/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/tech/spacex-starship-sn8-test-flight-recap-scn/index.html|archive-date=10 December 2020}}</ref> In October and November 2020, SN8 underwent four static fire tests; the first, second, and fourth were successful, but the third caused an engine shutdown. According to Musk, the force from the engine destroyed parts of the launch pad and some pieces of it flew into the engine.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=24 November 2020|title=SpaceX's Starship SN8 prototype fires engines ahead of major test flight|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-fourth-static-fire|url-status=live|access-date=5 October 2021|website=[[Space.com]]|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123055557/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-fourth-static-fire}}</ref> On 9 December 2020, SN8 performed the first flight by a Starship, reaching an altitude of {{cvt|12.5|km}}. During landing, its methane header tank did not provide sufficient fuel to the Raptors, causing one of its engines to produce low thrust. The landing engine could not slow down the test article sufficiently and led to the test article's explosion on impact.<ref name=":10">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=10 December 2020|title=SpaceX's Starship SN8 Prototype Soars on Epic Test Launch, with Explosive Landing|publisher=Scientific American|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starship-sn8-prototype-soars-on-epic-test-launch-with-explosive-landing/|url-status=live|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123020133/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starship-sn8-prototype-soars-on-epic-test-launch-with-explosive-landing/|archive-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> On 2 February 2021, SN9 flew {{cvt|10|km}} high.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mack|first=Eric|date=7 January 2021|title=SpaceX Starship SN9 flies high, explodes on landing just like SN8|publisher=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/spacex-starship-sn9-rocket-flies-high-explodes-on-landing-just-like-sn8/|url-status=live|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918040913/https://www.cnet.com/news/spacex-starship-sn9-rocket-flies-high-explodes-on-landing-just-like-sn8/|archive-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> While descending, one of its engines did not function and burst itself on landing at an angle.<ref name=":12">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=2 February 2021|title=SpaceX's Starship prototype again explodes on landing attempt after successful launch|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/02/spacex-starship-sn9-explodes-on-attempted-landing.html|url-status=live|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202204159/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/02/spacex-starship-sn9-explodes-on-attempted-landing.html|archive-date=2 February 2021}}</ref> On 3 March 2021, SN10 repeated SN9's flight path, then [[Hard landing|hard landed]] and set off itself 8 minutes later.<ref name=":13">{{cite news|last=Chang|first=Kenneth|date=3 March 2021|title=SpaceX Mars Rocket Prototype Explodes, but This Time It Lands First|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/science/spacex-starship-launch-sn10.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605013824/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/science/spacex-starship-launch-sn10.html|archive-date=5 June 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mack|first=Eric|date=12 March 2021|title=Elon Musk reveals an early sign that SpaceX Starship SN10 was going to explode|publisher=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-why-spacex-starship-sn10-exploded-after-landing/|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808232254/https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-why-spacex-starship-sn10-exploded-after-landing/|archive-date=8 August 2021}}</ref>[[File:Starship SN15 liftoff 1.jpg|alt=A steel rocket firing its engine with an orange plume|thumb|Liftoff of SN15 at the Boca Chica launch site, firing three Raptors]]The first Super Heavy booster named BN1 (booster number 1) finished construction on 8 March 2021, but it had not flown or installed Raptors.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=29 March 2021|title=Starship SN11 lands in bits as SpaceX refine forward plan|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/03/starship-sn11-returns-super-heavy-bn1-rollout-follow/|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814004802/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/03/starship-sn11-returns-super-heavy-bn1-rollout-follow/|archive-date=14 August 2021}}</ref> On 30 March 2021, SN11 exploded in midair without a confirmed explanation because of the dense fog at the launch site.<ref>{{cite news|last=Griffin|first=Andrew|date=1 April 2021|title=Elon Musk confirms SpaceX Starship exploded in 'crater'|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/space/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-sn11-twitter-b1824437.html|url-status=dead|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401083208/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/space/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-sn11-twitter-b1824437.html|archive-date=1 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=6 April 2021|title=Engine explosion blamed for latest Starship crash|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/engine-explosion-blamed-for-latest-starship-crash/|url-status=live|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929091019/https://spacenews.com/engine-explosion-blamed-for-latest-starship-crash/|archive-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> A possible explanation is that an engine might have burned the test article's [[avionics]] and could have caused a [[hard start]] on the engine's [[turbopump]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=5 April 2021|title=SpaceX identifies cause of Starship SN11 prototype's crash|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn11-crash-cause|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507050858/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn11-crash-cause|archive-date=7 May 2021}}</ref> After the launch, SpaceX skipped SN12, SN13, SN14, and BN2, and incorporated obsolete test articles' improvements to SN15 instead.<ref name=":8">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=13 April 2021|title=SpaceX's SN15 Starship prototype rolls out to launch pad|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn15-launch-pad|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424192858/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn15-launch-pad|archive-date=24 April 2021}}</ref> On 5 May 2021, the test article flew the same flight path as previous test articles and [[Soft landing (aeronautics)|soft landed]] on the landing pad.<ref name=":18">{{cite news|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=5 May 2021|title=SpaceX Starship prototype makes clean landing|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57004604|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506070737/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57004604|archive-date=6 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gorman|first=Steve|date=6 May 2021|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX Starship completes successful launch and landing after several fiery failures|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spacex-starship-rocket-prototype-achieves-first-safe-landing-2021-05-06/|url-status=live|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506040354/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spacex-starship-rocket-prototype-achieves-first-safe-landing-2021-05-06/|archive-date=6 May 2021}}</ref> After the landing, SN15 did not explode and was recovered.<ref name=":18" /> On 20 July 2021, Super Heavy booster BN3 fired its engines for the only time.<ref name=":15" /> As of October 2021, SN15, SN16, and BN3 are retired and displayed.<ref name=":18" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=3 July 2021|title=Booster 3 opens Super Heavy test campaign as orbital vehicles prepare to stack|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/07/booster-3-super-heavy-test-campaign/|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711105222/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/07/booster-3-super-heavy-test-campaign/|archive-date=11 July 2021}}</ref> As of October 2021, skipping over SN16, SN17, SN18, and SN19, SN20 along with BN4{{Efn|name=b}} are assigned to an orbital flight scheduled for late 2021. Despite that, the FAA has not finalized the [[environmental impact statement]] draft released on 19 September 2021.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=17 September 2021|title=The FAA releases initial report on Boca Chica launches, and it's not terrible|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/the-faa-releases-initial-report-on-boca-chica-launches-and-its-not-terrible/|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920082838/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/the-faa-releases-initial-report-on-boca-chica-launches-and-its-not-terrible/|archive-date=20 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author-link=SpaceX|date=17 September 2021|title=Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas|url=https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship/media/Draft_PEA_for_SpaceX_Starship_Super_Heavy_at_Boca_Chica.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917182019/https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship/media/Draft_PEA_for_SpaceX_Starship_Super_Heavy_at_Boca_Chica.pdf|archive-date=17 September 2021|access-date=24 September 2021|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sommerlad|first=Joe|date=28 May 2021|title=Elon Musk reveals Starship progress ahead of first orbital flight of Mars-bound craft|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/space/elon-musk-starship-sn16-mars-b1855721.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823165544/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/space/elon-musk-starship-sn16-mars-b1855721.html|archive-date=23 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=6 August 2021|title=Biggest ever rocket is assembled briefly in Texas|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58120874|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811063944/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58120874|archive-date=11 August 2021}}</ref> The whole rocket is planned to launch from Boca Chica and head toward the middle of the [[Straits of Florida]]. BN4 is expected to separate about three minutes into the orbital flight and splashdown in the [[Gulf of Mexico]], approximately {{cvt|30|km}} from the shoreline. SN20 is then expected to accelerate itself close to [[orbital speed]], then splashdown ninety minutes later at about {{Cvt|100|km|4=-1}} northwest of [[Kauai]].<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=13 May 2021|title=From Texas to Hawaii: SpaceX plans first orbital Starship test|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/13/22434825/elon-musk-spacex-first-orbital-starship-test-texas-hawaii|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828051702/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/13/22434825/elon-musk-spacex-first-orbital-starship-test-texas-hawaii|archive-date=28 August 2021|access-date=30 September 2021|publisher=The Verge}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{cite web|title=Starship Orbital - First Flight FCC Exhibit|url=https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=273481|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513192042/https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=273481|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref><gallery mode="packed" widths="150" heights="150" caption="Picture of Starship test articles"> File:Mk1 starship.jpg|alt=Photograph of equipment in front of white tents, with a steel nose cone at the back|Nose cone of Starship Mk1 near construction tents File:SpaceX Starhopper.jpg|alt=Photograph of a short steel rocket stage with its fins touching the ground|''Starhopper'' in construction File:Starship sn5.jpg|alt=Photograph of a crane hooking onto a steel vessel body|A crane lifting Starship SN5 File:Tanksn7.1.jpg|alt=Photograph of a steel tank|Starship SN7's tank File:Starship SN9 Open Rear Flap.jpg|alt=Photograph of a spacecraft with a pair of steel flaps on top and bottom|Starship SN9 on the launchpad File:Starship SN20 getting a tile inspection.jpg|alt=Photograph of a worker on an aerial work platform repairing a spacecraft's black heatshield|A worker is examining Starship SN20's ceramic tiles </gallery> === Test articles timeline === {{See also|SpaceX Starship development history#Starship prototypes|label 1=List of SpaceX Starship test articles}} :''Note: The start dates are when the test articles were first spotted by the public, and the end dates are when the test articles are destroyed, decommissioned, or retired.''{{Starship Timeline}} == Notes == {{Notelist}} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{portal|Rocketry|Spaceflight}} * {{Commons category-inline|2=Starship}} * [https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship Starship's official website by SpaceX] {{Artemis program}} {{Cargo spacecraft}} {{Crewed spacecraft}} {{Expendable launch systems}} {{SpaceX}} [[Category:Cargo spacecraft]] [[Category:Landers (spacecraft)]] [[Category:Proposed spacecraft]] [[Category:Proposed reusable launch systems]] [[Category:Space colonization]] [[Category:SpaceX launch vehicles]] [[Category:SpaceX Starship]] [[Category:VTVL rockets]]'
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext)
'{{Short description|Super heavy-lift reusable launch vehicle from SpaceX}} {{good article}} {{Use American English|date=March 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox rocket | name = Starship <!-- SpaceX Starship is used for title to discriminate against an already existed article --> | image = {{Multiple image|image1=Starship_SN16.jpeg|image2=Booster in the High Bay (51438375448).jpg|perrow=2|total_width=220|border=infobox|alt1=Photograph of a steel rocket facing backward on a launch mount|alt2=Photograph of the top of a steel booster inside a construction bay}} | caption = Left: Starship spacecraft SN16 on display<br/>Right: Super Heavy booster BN4{{Efn|name=b}} | function = {{plainlist| * [[Human spaceflight#Passenger travel via spacecraft|Intercontinental transport]] * [[Launch vehicle|Orbital launch and re-entry]] * [[Lander (spacecraft)|Extraterrestial lander]] }} | cpl = | manufacturer = [[SpaceX]] | country-origin = United States | height = {{cvt|120|m}}<ref name=":1"/> | diameter = {{cvt|9|m}} | stages = 2 | status = In development | stagedata = {{Infobox rocket/payload | location = [[low Earth orbit]] | volume = {{circa|{{cvt|1100|m3}}}} | altitude = {{cvt|500|km|mi|abbr=on}} | inclination = 98.9° | kilos = >{{cvt|100|metric ton|lb}} reusable<ref name="Guide">{{Cite web|date=March 2020|title=Starship Users Guide : Revision 1.0|url=https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf|url-status=live|website=[[SpaceX]]|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806173133/https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf}}</ref> }} {{Infobox rocket/payload | location = higher Earth orbits,<br/>the [[Moon]] or [[Mars]] | kilos = >{{cvt|100|metric ton|lb}} after one or multiple refuellings<ref name="Guide"/> | volume = {{circa|{{cvt|1100|m3}}}} }} {{Infobox rocket/stage | type = stage | name = Super Heavy | stageno = First | length = {{cvt|70|m}}<ref name=":1"/> | propmass = {{cvt|3400|metric ton|lb}} | engines = 33 [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor]] | thrust = {{circa|{{cvt|72|MN|lb-f|sigfig=2}}}} | fuel = Liquid [[liquid methane|CH<sub>4</sub>]] and [[liquid oxygen|O<sub>2</sub>]] }} {{Infobox rocket/stage | type = stage | name = Starship | stageno = Second | length = {{cvt|50|m}}<ref name=":1"/> | propmass = {{cvt|1200|metric ton|lb}} | engines = 3 [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor]]<br/>3 [[SpaceX Raptor#Raptor Vacuum|Raptor Vacuum]] | fuel = Liquid [[liquid methane|CH<sub>4</sub>]] and [[liquid oxygen|O<sub>2</sub>]] }} <!-- Launch success/failure fields in the rocket infobox are intended for operational missions; not every partially-complete Starship used as one of many test articles --> | sites = {{hlist | [[SpaceX South Texas launch site|Boca Chica launch site]] | [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]] | [[SpaceX Starship offshore platforms|''Phobos'' and ''Deimos'']] }}}} <!-- KEEP IT AS STARSHIP, the reason being that this article is called "SpaceX Starship" is to differentiate with a general insterstellar vehicle. Write "Starship" as if it is a name, like "Delta IV" and "Falcon 9" --> '''Starship''' is a fully [[reusable launch system]] in development by American private aerospace company [[SpaceX]] as of October 2021. Starship launch system consists of a first stage named Super Heavy and a second stage named Starship; both are made from [[stainless steel]] and designed to hold [[liquid oxygen]] alongside liquid [[methane]]. During liftoff, 33 [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor rocket engines]] mounted under Super Heavy produce {{Convert|72|MN|lk=on|abbr=on}} of thrust, twice that of a [[Saturn V]] rocket. The spacecraft has three Raptors optimized for the vacuum of space, three other Raptors used to land itself vertically, and two pairs of flaps to control its descent. [[launch pad|Launch pads]] and towers for Starship are designed to lift Starship's stages to position, as well as aid its launch and recovery operations. A Starship launch can place more than {{cvt|100|metric ton|lb}} of payload to [[low Earth orbit]] and to higher Earth orbits, the [[Moon]], and [[Mars]] after refueled by tanker Starships. In 2005, the first publicly known rocket concept with Starship lifting capabilities from SpaceX is BFR, burning a mixture of [[RP-1]] and liquid oxygen for thrust. After major changes to these concepts, on 25 July 2019, ''Starhopper'' performed the first successful flight by any Starship test article at the [[SpaceX South Texas launch site|Boca Chica launch site]], which as of October 2021 is the main build and launch site. The first complete Starship test article was SN8, which launched and crashed to the ground on 9 December 2020. On 5 May 2021, SN15 became the first test article to launch and land successfully. As of October 2021, <!-- Please, do not change SN20 and BN4 to Ship 20 and Booster 4, since it is just an abbreviation of "ship number 20" and "booster number 4". --> SN20 and BN4{{Efn|name=b|Around August 2021, SpaceX used an alternate "Starship X" and "Booster X" naming scheme, where X is the serial number. They are often abbreviated to "S" and "B", followed by the prototype's number. Sometimes, "Starship X" is abbreviated to "Ship X".<ref name="stackedstarship">{{cite news|last=Sheetz |first=Michael|date=6 August 2021|title=Musk: 'Dream come true' to see fully stacked SpaceX Starship rocket during prep for orbital launch|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/06/elon-musk-spacex-starship-fully-stacked-is-dream-come-true.html|access-date=24 September 2021|publisher=CNBC|archive-date=19 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819231115/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/06/elon-musk-spacex-starship-fully-stacked-is-dream-come-true.html|url-status=live}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} are expected to become the first test article to go to orbit.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Adam|first=Smith|date=14 May 2021|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX reveals Starship's first orbital test flight|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/elon-musk-spacex-starship-orbital-test-flight-b1847489.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520080106/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/elon-musk-spacex-starship-orbital-test-flight-b1847489.html|archive-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> Starship launch system is incorporated to upcoming and envisioned space missions, such as the [[DearMoon project|''dearMoon'' project]], [[Artemis program |NASA's Artemis program]], and [[SpaceX Mars program|SpaceX's Mars program]]. == Description == === Super Heavy and Starship === Starship's body is made from welded {{cvt|9|m}} diameter rings. They are {{cvt|3.97|mm}} thick, {{cvt|1.8|m}} tall, and composed of [[SAE 304 stainless steel|SAE 304L stainless steel]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=29 September 2019|title=Elon Musk says Starship should reach orbit within six months – and could even fly with a crew next year|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/28/elon-musk-says-starship-should-reach-orbit-within-six-months-and-it-could-even-fly-with-a-crew-next-year/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924073050/https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/28/elon-musk-says-starship-should-reach-orbit-within-six-months-and-it-could-even-fly-with-a-crew-next-year/|archive-date=24 September 2021|quote=The Mk1 features welded panels to make up the rings [...] but Mk3 and Mk4 will use full sheets of stainless steel that cover the whole diameter of the spacecraft, welded with a single weld.}}</ref><ref name="nsf20201209">{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=9 December 2020|title=From hops to hopes - Starship SN8 advances test program into the next phase|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/12/from-hops-hopes-starship-sn8-test-program-next-phase/|url-status=live|access-date=11 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210130805/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/12/from-hops-hopes-starship-sn8-test-program-next-phase/|archive-date=10 December 2020}}</ref> The Starship launch system consists of two stages: a Super Heavy booster and a Starship spacecraft. Both stages are equipped with complex liquid methane and oxygen [[Staged combustion cycle#Full-flow staged combustion cycle|full-flow staged combustion cycle]] [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor engines]] that each can produce approximately {{cvt|2|MN|lk=off}} of thrust.<ref name=":1" /> Generally, a kind of full-flow staged combustion cycle engine operates by flowing liquid methane and oxygen into its [[turbopump]]s, which are then pressurize, mixed, and heated in two preburners, with one receiving more methane and the other more oxygen.<ref name="sn20160113">{{cite news|last=Gruss|first=Mike|date=13 January 2016|title=Orbital ATK, SpaceX Win Air Force Propulsion Contracts|publisher=SpaceNews|url=http://spacenews.com/orbital-atk-spacex-win-air-force-propulsion-contracts/|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref> Both the high pressure and high temperature cause the liquids to evaporate, spinning the turbines, which in turn spin the turbopumps; this process repeats, until the hot gas is ignited in a combustion chamber.<ref name="sippel20122">{{cite conference|last1=Sippel|first1=Martin|last2=Yamashiro|first2=Ryoma|last3=Cremaschi|first3=Francesco|date=2012-05-10|title=Staged Combustion Cycle Rocket Engine Design Trade-offs for Future Advanced Passenger Transport|url=http://elib.dlr.de/78208/1/Prop2012-2.pdf|conference=Space Propulsion 2012|series=ST28-5|location=Bordeaux|publisher=DLR-SART|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319145738/http://elib.dlr.de/78208/1/Prop2012-2.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2014|access-date=2014-03-19|url-status=live}}</ref> The resultant gas quickly moves, and the [[Rocket engine nozzle|engine nozzle]] redirects it to produce thrust.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Huzel, D. K.|title=NASA SP-125, Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines|author2=Huang, D. H.|publisher=NASA|year=1971|edition=2nd|name-list-style=amp}}[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=306030&id=4&qs=Ne%3D35%26Ns%3DHarvestDate%257C0%26N%3D280%2B4294967231 Technical report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815021355/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=306030&id=4&qs=Ne%3D35%26Ns%3DHarvestDate%257C0%26N%3D280%2B4294967231 |date=15 August 2021 }}</ref> The Raptor Vacuum variant is equipped with a [[nozzle extension]] to increase its [[Specific impulse|specfic impulse]] in the vacuum of space. Super Heavy booster's primary goal is to accelerate the spacecraft to [[Mach number|Mach]] 8 or 9 and land itself on the launch tower's arms.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=4 January 2021|title=SpaceX may try to catch a falling rocket with a launch tower|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/spacex-may-try-to-catch-a-falling-rocket-with-a-launch-tower/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705075333/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/spacex-may-try-to-catch-a-falling-rocket-with-a-launch-tower/|archive-date=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref name=":14" /> The booster measures {{cvt|70|m}} tall and {{cvt|9|m}} in diameter.<ref name=":1" /> The bottom of the booster houses up to 33{{Efn|Early Super Heavy prototypes have less than thirty-three engines.<ref name="nsf-20210530"/>|group=lower-alpha}} sea‑level optimized Raptors that produce {{cvt|72|MN}} of thrust during liftoff.<ref name="nsf-20210530">{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=30 May 2021|title=Laying the groundwork for Super Heavy amid Raptor Ramp Up|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/groundwork-super-heavy-raptor-ramp-up/|url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530204718/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/groundwork-super-heavy-raptor-ramp-up/|archive-date=30 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Berger|first=Eric|date=2 August 2021|title=SpaceX installed 29 Raptor engines on a Super Heavy rocket last night|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/spacex-installed-29-raptor-engines-on-a-super-heavy-rocket-last-night/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804225106/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/spacex-installed-29-raptor-engines-on-a-super-heavy-rocket-last-night/|archive-date=4 August 2021}}</ref> Above the engines sit {{cvt|3400|metric ton|lb}} of propellant in tanks.<ref name=":1" /> Four [[grid fin]]s, installed above the booster, are designed to control Super Heavy descent and caught the launch tower's pair of mechanical arms.<ref name="landing">{{cite news|last=Wall |first=Mike|date=4 January 2021|title=SpaceX targets bold new 'catch' strategy for landing Super Heavy rockets|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-landing-plans|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220140553/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-landing-plans|archive-date=20 February 2021}}</ref> The booster is topped with a stage adapter for attaching the Starship spacecraft.<ref name="mechazilla">{{cite news|last=Cuthbertson|first=Anthony|date=30 August 2021|title=SpaceX will use 'robot chopsticks' to catch massive rocket, Elon Musk says|publisher=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-b1911138.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902055936/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-b1911138.html|archive-date=2 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="landing" /> After separation, the Starship spacecraft will accelerate itself to orbit and perform mission tasks and objectives.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 March 2021|title=SpaceX is making progress on its next rocket|publisher=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/03/04/spacex-is-making-progress-on-its-next-rocket|url-status=live|url-access=registration|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611004416/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/03/04/spacex-is-making-progress-on-its-next-rocket|archive-date=11 June 2021|issn=0013-0613}}</ref> It is {{cvt|50|m}} tall, {{cvt|9|m}} in diameter and has a total propellant capacity of {{cvt|1200|metric ton|lb}}.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/ |title=Starship page|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522145915/https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/|archive-date=22 May 2020|access-date=24 September 2021|publisher=SpaceX}}</ref> The bottom section houses six Raptors and [[composite overwrapped pressure vessel]]s which store gas used to spin the engines' turbopumps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=9 December 2020|title=SpaceX flies Starship prototype rocket to highest altitude yet — but doesn't stick the landing|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/9/22030125/spacex-starship-prototype-flight-test-12-5-kilometer-launch|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702043725/https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/9/22030125/spacex-starship-prototype-flight-test-12-5-kilometer-launch|archive-date=2 July 2021|quote=The final Starship will supposedly be equipped with six main Raptor engines — three optimized to be used at sea level and three optimized for use in the vacuum of space.}}</ref> Three of them are optimized for atmospheric pressure, and three for the vacuum of space.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=31 August 2021|title=Starbase Launch Tower enters Mechazilla installation phase|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/starbase-update-aug-2021/|url-status=live|access-date=9 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908131507/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/starbase-update-aug-2021/|archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref> Positioned above are the liquid oxygen and liquid methane propellant tanks, separated by a dome containing a small, spherical liquid methane header tank.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=15 November 2020|title=Starship SN8 hoping for speedy return to testing as additional vehicles line up|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/11/sn8-speedy-return-testing-vehicles-line-up/ |url-status=live|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212230201/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/11/sn8-speedy-return-testing-vehicles-line-up/|archive-date=12 December 2020}}</ref> On top of the tanks is the payload section houses a liquid oxygen header tank and payload.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=13 November 2020|title=Rocket Report: SpaceX set for second crew launch, Chinese firm reaches orbit|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/rocket-report-spacex-set-for-second-crew-launch-chinese-firm-reaches-orbit/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118055639/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/rocket-report-spacex-set-for-second-crew-launch-chinese-firm-reaches-orbit/|archive-date=18 November 2020|quote=After stacking a nose cone on top of its SN8 Starship prototype in late October, SpaceX engineers in Boca Chica, Texas, successfully proof-tested the liquid-oxygen header tank at the top of the vehicle.}}</ref> For Starship cargo, a large [[Clamshell (container)|clamshell door]] replaces conventional [[Payload fairing|payload fairings]], which can capture, store, and return payload to Earth. The door will close during launch, open to release payload once in orbit, then close again during reentry. In the Starship crewed variant, the payload bay will house cabins and other facilities.<ref name=":11">{{cite news|last=Duffy|first=Kate|date=6 July 2021|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starship could 'chomp up' space junk with its moving door on the way to Mars|publisher=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-chomp-up-space-junk-2021-7|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818125350/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-chomp-up-space-junk-2021-7|archive-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> To control the spacecraft attitude during reentry and descent, Starship moves two pairs of flaps install perpendicular to its body. They are composed of a larger pair of aft flaps that sit at the bottom of Starship, and a smaller pair of forward flaps are placed on the nose cone.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kanayama|first=Lee|last2=Beil|first2=Adrian|date=28 August 2021|title=SpaceX continues forward progress with Starship on Starhopper anniversary |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/starship-starhopper/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831011318/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/starship-starhopper/|archive-date=31 August 2021|quote=In the glide, the front and aft flaps both moved to guide the ship, ...}}</ref> The windward side of the spacecraft is covered by a [[heat shield]] made from hexagon tiles designed to withstand up to {{Cvt|1350|C|F}} and prevent [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]] to accelerate through the gap.<ref name=":14">{{cite news|last=Malik|first=Tariq|date=22 March 2019|title=SpaceX's Hexagon Tiles for Starship Heat Shield Pass Fiery Test|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-hexagon-heat-shield-tile-test.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306144630/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-hexagon-heat-shield-tile-test.html|archive-date=6 March 2021}}</ref> Simulations from SpaceX showed that 99.9% of Starship's [[kinetic energy]] can dissipate upon reentry to Earth, but the thinner Mars atmosphere can dissipate only 99% of its kinetic energy. From its horizontal position moving at [[terminal velocity]], Starship fires its engines to flip back up and slow itself down using propellant from its propellant header tanks.<ref name="spacex20191020">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=94&v=bysu8XN5OfY|title=SpaceX - Mars Society Convention 2019|date=20 October 2019|first=Paul|last=Wooster|time=47:30-49:00 |access-date=25 October 2019|quote=''Vehicle is designed to be able to land at the Earth, Moon or Mars. Depending on which [...] the ratio of the energy dissipated aerodynamically versus propulsively is quite different. In the case of the Moon, it's entirely propulsive. [...] Earth: over 99.9% of the energy is removed aerodynamically [...] Mars: over 99% of the energy is being removed aerodynamically at Mars''. |medium=video|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> === Ground infrastructure === [[File:SpaceX launch tower, under construction (51439001865).jpg|alt=A tall stell white launch tower with a platform on top|thumb|Starship launch tower at the Boca Chica launch site]] Starship may launch at [[SpaceX South Texas launch site|SpaceX's Boca Chica launch site]], [[SpaceX Starship offshore platforms|offshore platforms]], and [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A]] (LC-39A).<ref name="cnbc202009012">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=1 September 2020|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starship rocket will launch "hundreds of missions" before flying people|publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html|url-status=live|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902190003/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html|archive-date=2 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="nsf202101192">{{cite news|last=Burghardt|first=Thomas|date=19 January 2021|title=SpaceX acquires former oil rigs to serve as floating Starship spaceports|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/spacex-rigs-starship-spaceports/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120001114/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/spacex-rigs-starship-spaceports/|archive-date=20 January 2021|access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref> The Boca Chica launch site, referred to by [[SpaceX]] as Starbase,<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Starship SN11 High-Altitude Flight Test|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210327102331/https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|website=[[SpaceX]]|quote=...our fourth high-altitude flight test of a Starship prototype from Starbase in Texas.}}</ref><ref name="tm20140923">{{cite news|last1=Solomon|first1=Dan|date=23 September 2014|title=SpaceX Plans To Send People From Brownsville To Mars in Order To Save Mankind|work=TexasMonthly|url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/spacex-plans-send-people-brownsville-mars-order-save-mankind|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928180145/http://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/spacex-plans-send-people-brownsville-mars-order-save-mankind|archive-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> is likely to be the first site to launch Starship to orbit.<ref name=":16" /> The offshore platforms, named ''Phobos'' and ''Deimos'' after the [[moons of Mars]], were former [[Drilling rig|oil drilling rigs]] owned by [[Valaris plc|Valaris]]. As of October 2021, SpaceX is actively constructing the Boca Chica launch site and offshore platforms.<ref name="nsf202101192"/> The launch and landing pad might at least consist of a launch mount, a tower, and tanks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=8 March 2021|title=SpaceX reveals the grand extent of its starport plans in South Texas|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/spacex-reveals-the-grand-extent-of-its-starport-plans-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921144725/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/spacex-reveals-the-grand-extent-of-its-starport-plans-in-south-texas/|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Coppinger|first=Rob|date=27 September 2016|title=Elon Musk outlines Mars colony vision|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37486372|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512224119/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37486372|archive-date=12 May 2020}}</ref> The launch tower in Boca Chica measures {{cvt|146|m}} tall, consisting of {{cvt|143|m}} tall [[steel truss]] sections and a {{cvt|3|m}} tall lightning rod on top.<ref name=":32">{{cite web|date=16 March 2021|title=Form 7460-1 for ASN 2021-ASW-4185-OE|url=https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=474570805&row=115|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408192729/https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=474570805&row=115|archive-date=8 April 2021|access-date=6 September 2021 |website=Obstruction Evaluation / Airport Airspace Analysis by [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|publisher=SpaceX}}</ref> The launch tower has a pair of quick-disconnect claws and a large crane. These components allow the launch tower to lift, fuel, and stabilize Starships on the launch pad.<ref name=":72">{{cite news|last=Sankaran|first=Vishwam|date=15 September 2021|title=Photos of giant claw 'catching arms' at SpaceX starbase fuel wild speculation online|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/space/giant-claw-spacex-starbase-photo-b1918905.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916191710/https://www.independent.co.uk/space/giant-claw-spacex-starbase-photo-b1918905.html|archive-date=16 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="mechazilla2">{{cite news|last=Cuthbertson|first=Anthony|date=30 August 2021|title=SpaceX will use 'robot chopsticks' to catch massive rocket, Elon Musk says|newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-b1911138.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902055936/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-b1911138.html|archive-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> For landing, the rocket stages might touch down on [[Autonomous spaceport drone ship|drone ships]] or landing pads near the launch site.<ref name="bi2020061622">{{cite news|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=16 June 2020|title=Elon Musk: 'SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports' for its Starship rocket to reach the moon, Mars, and fly passengers around Earth|publisher=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-ocean-spaceports-offshore-engineer-job-posting-2020-6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617073600/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-ocean-spaceports-offshore-engineer-job-posting-2020-6|archive-date=17 June 2020|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> In the future, the launch tower might recover the Super Heavy booster, by having a cable system that matches the incoming booster's velocity and pair of mechanical steel arms that move around pivots.<ref name="mechazilla2" /><ref name="landing2">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=4 January 2021|title=SpaceX targets bold new 'catch' strategy for landing Super Heavy rockets|publisher=Space.com |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-landing-plans|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220140553/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-landing-plans|archive-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mack|first=Eric|date=4 January 2021|title=Elon Musk reveals wild plan to catch SpaceX's most powerful rocket with a launch tower|publisher=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-wild-plan-to-catch-spacex-rocket-with-a-launch-tower/|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302114312/https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-wild-plan-to-catch-spacex-rocket-with-a-launch-tower/|archive-date=2 March 2021}}</ref> The tower's arms catch the booster by closing and letting the booster's grid fins<!-- Grid fins are mentioned in reliable sources, pins aren't. Stop fixing it, unless you have sth other than @elonmusk tweets or Teslarati. --> touch down on them.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-08-19|title=Musk Confirms how "Mechazilla" Will Catch and Assemble Starship and Super Heavy for Rapid Reuse|url=https://www.universetoday.com/152221/musk-confirms-how-mechazilla-will-catch-and-assemble-starship-and-super-heavy-for-rapid-reuse/|access-date=2021-10-04|publisher=Universe Today|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930072552/https://www.universetoday.com/152221/musk-confirms-how-mechazilla-will-catch-and-assemble-starship-and-super-heavy-for-rapid-reuse/|url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- Not added because currently there's no reliable source covering on it, "The arms may also contain a continuous track that can move the caught rocket stage closer or further from the tower, and help properly align it to the launch mount". --> === Future variants === SpaceX plans to build variants of Starship optimized for its tasks. The original spacecraft design will be used to transport cargo on missions, and in the future, it may be spun off into a separate cargo variant.<ref name="cnbc20200901">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=1 September 2020|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starship rocket will launch "hundreds of missions" before flying people|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html|url-status=live|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902190003/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/elon-musk-spacex-starship-to-fly-hundreds-of-missions-before-people.html|archive-date=2 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="sn20200901">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=1 September 2020|title=Musk emphasizes progress in Starship production over testing|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/musk-emphasizes-progress-in-starship-production-over-testing/|url-status=live|access-date=1 September 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> This variant is used to deliver, deploy and pick up cargo in orbit by a large cargo bay door that could open in space.<ref name="sn20190628">{{cite news|last=Henry|first=Caleb|date=28 June 2019|title=SpaceX targets 2021 commercial Starship launch|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-targets-2021-commercial-starship-launch/|url-status=live|access-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20190828053242/https://spacenews.com/spacex%2Dtargets%2D2021%2Dcommercial%2Dstarship%2Dlaunch/ |archive-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> Another variant named Starship tanker can transfer its propellant to [[Space rendezvous|rendezvoused]] spacecraft.<ref name=":9">{{cite news |last=Clark|first=Stephen|date=1 May 2020|title=NASA identifies risks in SpaceX's Starship lunar lander proposal|publisher=Spaceflight Now|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/01/nasa-identifies-risks-in-spacexs-starship-lunar-lander-proposal/|url-status=live|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203123719/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/01/nasa-identifies-risks-in-spacexs-starship-lunar-lander-proposal/|archive-date=3 February 2021}}</ref> By receiving fuel from tanker Starships, the spacecraft could travel to higher orbits or further destinations in the Solar System.<ref name=":9" /> SpaceX has mentioned another Starship variant that could carry passengers on sub-orbital transport flights across continents, which its president [[Gwynne Shotwell]] has predicted could be cost-competitive against business class airlines.<ref name="cnbc20190318" /> The spacecraft can go between spaceports on Earth, with a goal of 40 minutes flight time from [[New York City]] to [[Shanghai]].<ref name="cnbc20190318">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=18 March 2019|title=Super fast travel using outer space could be US$20 billion market, disrupting airlines, UBS predicts|publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/18/ubs-space-travel-and-space-tourism-a-23-billion-business-in-a-decade.html|url-status=live|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029110228/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/18/ubs-space-travel-and-space-tourism-a-23-billion-business-in-a-decade.html|archive-date=29 October 2019}}</ref> At the 67th International Astronautical Congress, SpaceX's CEO [[Elon Musk]] outlined that Starship Mars's variant might carry 100 passengers and cargo to Mars.<ref name="cnbc20200901" /> In April 2021, NASA contracted SpaceX to design and manufacture the [[Starship HLS|Starship Human Landing System]] (Starship HLS), a modified Starship spacecraft. It serves as the crewed lunar lander for the Artemis program.<ref name="sn20210416">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=16 April 2021|title=NASA selects SpaceX to develop crewed lunar lander|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-spacex-to-develop-crewed-lunar-lander/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521102045/https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-spacex-to-develop-crewed-lunar-lander/|archive-date=21 May 2021 |access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref> Starship HLS has significant differences from the main design, for example, the lack of heat shield and body flaps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Howell|first=Elizabeth|date=30 August 2021|title=How NASA's Artemis moon landing with astronauts works|page=3|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/artemis-program-NASA-astronauts-to-moon-explained|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905163233/https://www.space.com/artemis-program-NASA-astronauts-to-moon-explained|archive-date=5 September 2021|quote=The Starship HLS version is still under development, but multiple media reports suggest the landing spacecraft will not have a heat shield as the moon has no substantial atmosphere.}}</ref> This spacecraft will have a [[Docking and berthing of spacecraft|docking system]], [[Solar cell panel|solar panels]], and extra landing thrusters placed at the middle of the ship to minimize thrown lunar dust.<ref name="cummings20200611">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEnz8V97Qck&t=2100 |title=Human Landing System: Putting Boots Back on the Moon|date=11 June 2020|last=Cummings|first=Nick|time=35:00–36:02|access-date=12 June 2020|quote=[...] for the terminal descent of Starship, a few tens of meters before we touch down on the lunar surface, we actually use a high-thrust RCS system, so that we don't impinge on the surface of the Moon with the high-thrust Raptor engines. [...] uses the same methane and oxygen propellants as Raptor.|publisher=American Astronautical Society|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burghardt|first=Thomas|date=20 April 2021|title=After NASA taps SpaceX's Starship for first Artemis landings, agency looks to on-ramp future vehicles|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/nasa-starship-first-landings-on-ramp/|url-status=live|access-date=14 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420213049/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/nasa-starship-first-landings-on-ramp/|archive-date=20 April 2021}}</ref> Another unrelated Starship variant is also envisioned by SpaceX, capable of launching heavy payloads to the Moon's surface for the [[Commercial Lunar Payload Services]] program.<ref name="VERGE201911182">{{cite news|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=18 November 2019 |title=NASA partners with SpaceX, Blue Origin, and more to send large payloads to the Moon 5 - The companies are aiming to land in the early 2020s|publisher=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/18/20971307/nasa-clps-program-spacex-blue-origin-sierra-nevada-ceres-tyvak-viper-rover|url-status=live|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206171516/https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/18/20971307/nasa-clps-program-spacex-blue-origin-sierra-nevada-ceres-tyvak-viper-rover|archive-date=6 December 2019}}</ref> == Operations== === Planned missions === [[File:Starship HLS Moon landing.jpg|alt=Artist depiction of a large white lunar lander on the Moon, with the crews nearby|thumb|Artist depiction by SpaceX of Starship HLS offloading astronauts and cargo onto the lunar surface]]SpaceX aims for Starship to replace its current [[Falcon 9]], [[Falcon Heavy]], and [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Dragon 2]] fleet and take cargo to orbit cheaply.<ref name="nsf20170929">{{cite news|last=Gebhardt |first=Chris|date=29 September 2017|title=The Moon, Mars, and around the Earth – Musk updates BFR architecture, plans|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/the-moon-mars-earth-musk-updates-bfr-plans/|url-status=live|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001081759/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/the-moon-mars-earth-musk-updates-bfr-plans/|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com |archive-date=1 October 2017}}</ref> In November 2019, Musk estimated that a Starship launch might cost US$2 million, US$900,000 of propellant cost.<ref>{{cite news|last=Etherington|first=Darrell |date=6 November 2019|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starship could fly for as little as US$2 million per launch|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/06/elon-musk-says-spacexs-starship-could-fly-for-as-little-as-2-million-per-launch/|url-status=live|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107072234/https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/06/elon-musk-says-spacexs-starship-could-fly-for-as-little-as-2-million-per-launch/|archive-date=7 November 2019}}</ref> Starship could place up to four hundred [[Starlink|Starlink satellites]] into orbit, whereas the Falcon 9 can only carry up to 60 satellites into orbit per flight.<ref name="cnbc20200901" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Brodkin|first=Jon|date=15 November 2018|title=FCC tells SpaceX it can deploy up to 11,943 broadband satellites|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/11/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-for-7500-more-broadband-satellites/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160132/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/11/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-for-7500-more-broadband-satellites/|archive-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> On 14 September 2018, the first private contract was announced by Japanese entrepreneur [[Yusaku Maezawa]], a private [[space tourism]] mission called the [[DearMoon project|''dearMoon'' project]].<ref name="grush">{{cite web|last1=Grush|first1=Loren|date=14 September 2018|title=SpaceX says it will send someone around the Moon on its future monster rocket |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/17857872/spacex-moon-trip-passenger-announcement-bfr|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914032806/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/17857872/spacex-moon-trip-passenger-announcement-bfr|archive-date=14 September 2018|access-date=15 September 2018|publisher=The Verge}}</ref> Starship in this mission would perform a [[trans-lunar injection]], circle the Moon, and return to Earth.<ref name="grush2">{{cite web|last1=Grush|first1=Loren|date=14 September 2018 |title=SpaceX says it will send someone around the Moon on its future monster rocket|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/17857872/spacex-moon-trip-passenger-announcement-bfr|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914032806/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/13/17857872/spacex-moon-trip-passenger-announcement-bfr|archive-date=14 September 2018|access-date=15 September 2018|publisher=The Verge}}</ref> As of October 2021, the mission's crew might consist of Maezawa and ten to twelve other people.<ref name="03032021CNBC">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=2 March 2021|title=Japanese billionaire to fly eight members of the public on SpaceX moon flight|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/02/yusaku-maezawa-opens-up-public-seats-on-spacex-starship-moon-flight.html|url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303135147/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/02/yusaku-maezawa-opens-up-public-seats-on-spacex-starship-moon-flight.html|archive-date=3 March 2021}}</ref> In October 2020, NASA provided US$53.2 million to SpaceX to demonstrate {{cvt|10|metric ton}} of cryogenic propellant transfer between two Starships.<ref name="auto1">{{cite press release|title=2020 NASA Tipping Point Selections|date=13 October 2020|publisher=NASA|url=http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/solicitations/tipping_points/2020_selections|last1=Hall|first1=Loura|access-date=19 October 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019084046/https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/solicitations/tipping_points/2020_selections/|archive-date=19 October 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> On 16 April 2021, [[NASA]] selected [[Starship HLS]] and awarded SpaceX a US$2.89 billion contract over [[Integrated Lander Vehicle]] and [[Dynetics HLS]].<ref name="ars20210416">{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=16 April 2021|title=NASA selects SpaceX as its sole provider for a lunar lander|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/nasa-selects-spacex-as-its-sole-provider-for-a-lunar-lander/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417003215/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/nasa-selects-spacex-as-its-sole-provider-for-a-lunar-lander/|archive-date=17 April 2021|quote=SpaceX has largely self-funded development of the large Starship vehicle for about five years...}}</ref><ref name="NASAannouncementApril16">{{cite press release|title=As Artemis Moves Forward, NASA Picks SpaceX to Land Next Americans on Moon|date=16 April 2021|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacex-to-land-next-americans-on-moon|quote=The firm-fixed price, milestone-based contract total award value is US$2.89 billion.|last1=Brown|first1=Katherine|access-date=16 April 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416221751/http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacex-to-land-next-americans-on-moon/|archive-date=16 April 2021 |publisher=NASA}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="WaPoApril16">{{cite news|last=Davenport|first=Christian|date=16 April 2021|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX wins contract to develop spacecraft to land astronauts on the moon|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/04/16/nasa-lunar-lander-contract-spacex/|url-status=live|access-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416175151/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/04/16/nasa-lunar-lander-contract-spacex/|archive-date=16 April 2021|quote=In winning the US$2.9 billion contract, SpaceX beat out Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, [...] SpaceX also won over Dynetics, a defense contractor based in Huntsville, Alabama}}</ref> Starship HLS will perform an uncrewed landing demonstration and an [[Artemis 3]] crewed lunar landing mission.<ref name="ars20210416" /> In June 2021, the [[United States Air Force]] updated the [[Rocket Cargo]] program and began assessing the use of rockets to transport payload between [[Spaceport|spaceports]] on Earth.<ref>{{cite news|last=Howell|first=Elizabeth|date=7 June 2021|title=US Air Force wants a commercial Rocket Cargo Vanguard to fly stuff anywhere on Earth|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/air-force-rocket-cargo-vanguard-commercial-rockets|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613080831/https://www.space.com/air-force-rocket-cargo-vanguard-commercial-rockets|archive-date=13 June 2021}}</ref> Although the Air Force does not specify what rocket is under the program, media sources speculated that Starship might be the launch system that matches the proposal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=4 June 2021|title=The Pentagon wants to use private rockets like SpaceX's Starship to deliver cargo around the world|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/04/us-military-rocket-cargo-program-for-spacexs-starship-and-others.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901090644/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/04/us-military-rocket-cargo-program-for-spacexs-starship-and-others.html|archive-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> === Envisioned space colonization programs === {{main|SpaceX Mars program}} [[File:Artist’s rendering of the approach to Mars.jpg|alt=A white spaceship that is close to Mars|thumb|Artist depiction by SpaceX of ITS in close approach to Mars]] SpaceX has stated that its goal is to kick-start [[Colonization of Mars|Mars colonization]] and [[Terraforming of Mars|terraforming]] by its launch vehicles.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|last=Rincon |first=Paul|date=7 August 2021|title=What is Elon Musk's Starship?|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55564448|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316143042/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55564448|archive-date=16 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wroth|first=Carmel|date=29 September 2019|title=Elon Musk Unveils SpaceX's New Starship, Designed To Fly To The Moon, Mars And Beyond|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/09/29/765526405/elon-musk-unveils-spacexs-new-starship-designed-to-fly-to-the-moon-mars-and-beyo|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=9 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809130550/https://www.npr.org/2019/09/29/765526405/elon-musk-unveils-spacexs-new-starship-designed-to-fly-to-the-moon-mars-and-beyo|url-status=live}}</ref> Musk has stated that the main reason for the goal is for the [[Space and survival|long-term survival of the human species]] and to inspire legislators to fund spaceflight more.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=23 April 2021|title=Elon Musk wants SpaceX to reach Mars so humanity is not a 'single-planet species' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/elon-musk-aiming-for-mars-so-humanity-is-not-a-single-planet-species.html|url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2021|publisher=CNBC|archive-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002130927/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/elon-musk-aiming-for-mars-so-humanity-is-not-a-single-planet-species.html}}</ref> From 2011 to 2017, the company conceived a spacecraft concept capable of transporting crew and cargo to Mars called ''[[SpaceX Red Dragon|Red Dragon]]'', a modified [[SpaceX Dragon|Dragon capsule]].<ref name="March 2014">{{cite news|last=David |first=Leonard|date=7 March 2014|title=Project 'Red Dragon': Mars Sample-Return Mission Could Launch in 2022 with SpaceX Capsule|publisher=Space.com|url=http://www.space.com/24984-spacex-mars-mission-red-dragon.html|access-date=8 March 2014|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302085401/https://www.space.com/24984-spacex-mars-mission-red-dragon.html|url-status=live}}</ref> If such a program ever existed, it likely uses Starship as the main launch vehicle, funded by both the public and private entities as well as using Mars resources.<ref name="Crunch 20172">{{cite news |last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=29 September 2017|title=Everything SpaceX revealed about its updated plan to reach Mars by 2022|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/28/everything-spacex-revealed-about-its-updated-plan-to-reach-mars-by-2022/|access-date=14 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230111054/https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/28/everything-spacex-revealed-about-its-updated-plan-to-reach-mars-by-2022/|archive-date=30 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="sn20161010">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=10 October 2016|title=Can Elon Musk get to Mars?|publisher=SpaceNews |url=http://www.spacenewsmag.com/feature/can-elon-musk-get-to-mars/|url-status=live|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013071335/http://www.spacenewsmag.com/feature/can-elon-musk-get-to-mars/|archive-date=13 October 2016}}</ref> Musk estimated that a Mars city containing a million people would be self-sustaining, which need at least ten thousand crewed Starship and a hundred thousand Starship carrying cargo excluding local population growth.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andersen |first=Ross|date=30 September 2014|title=Exodus|url=http://aeon.co/magazine/technology/the-elon-musk-interview-on-mars/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612073942/http://aeon.co/magazine/technology/the-elon-musk-interview-on-mars/|archive-date=June 12, 2015|access-date=27 January 2016|work=Aeon}}</ref> Before astronauts go to Mars, cargo Starships launch requisite equipment to Mars' surface, including a fertilizer factory, a propellant factory, and construction materials for assembling [[Geodesic dome|geodesic domes]] covering farmland.<ref name="dn20121213">{{Cite news|last=Coppinger|first=Rob|date=23 November 2012|title=Huge Mars Colony Eyed by SpaceX Founder Elon Musk|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/18596-mars-colony-spacex-elon-musk.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227220646/https://www.space.com/18596-mars-colony-spacex-elon-musk.html|archive-date=27 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="tss20140321b">{{cite AV media|url=https://thespaceshow.com/show/21-mar-2014/broadcast-2212-special-edition|title=Broadcast 2212: Special Edition, interview with Gwynne Shotwell|date=21 March 2014|first=Gwynne|last=Shotwell|medium=audio file|publisher=The Space Show|time=29:45–30:40|access-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013556/http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2212-BWB-2014-03-21.mp3|archive-date=22 March 2014|url-status=live|id=2212|quote=''would have to throw a bunch of stuff before you start putting people there. [...] It is a transportation system between Earth and Mars.''}}</ref> The propellant factory takes in carbon dioxide from Mars's atmosphere and hydrogen from underground ice. Afterward, the factory uses the [[Sabatier reaction]] to create liquid methane and liquid oxygen.<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":5">{{cite news|last=Gohd|first=Chelsea|date=8 January 2021 |title=Future astronauts could make methane rocket fuel on Mars |language=en |work=[[Space.com]] |url=https://www.space.com/future-astronauts-methane-rocket-fuel-mars |access-date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204171954/https://www.space.com/future-astronauts-methane-rocket-fuel-mars|url-status=live}}</ref> The spacecraft can launch from Mars to Earth, provided it is refueled by propellant produced on Mars by the factory.<ref name=":5"/> At the 67th International Astronautical Congress, Musk outlined that the Mars Starship's variant might carry cargo and 100 passengers to Mars.<ref name="cnbc20200901"/> It might have {{cvt|825|m3}} of pressurized space, about forty cabins, storage space, a galley, an entertainment area, and a [[solar storm]] shelter to protect against [[ionizing radiation]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Clifford|first=Catherine |date=29 November 2017|title=Here's what it will be like to travel to Mars in Elon Musk's spaceship|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/what-it-will-be-like-to-travel-to-mars-in-elon-musks-spaceship.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518144928/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/what-it-will-be-like-to-travel-to-mars-in-elon-musks-spaceship.html|archive-date=18 May 2021}}</ref> At that conference, Musk presented conceptual missions to further destinations such as [[Enceladus]], [[Europa (moon)|Europa]], [[Pluto]], and the [[Oort cloud]], that may launch from Mars.<ref name="nsf20160927a">{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=27 September 2016|title=SpaceX reveals ITS Mars game changer via colonization plan|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/spacex-reveals-mars-game-changer-colonization-plan/|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928154300/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/spacex-reveals-mars-game-changer-colonization-plan/|archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="gw-20160927">{{cite news|last=Boyle|first=Alan|date=September 27, 2016|title=SpaceX's Elon Musk makes the big pitch for his decades-long plan to colonize Mars|work=[[GeekWire]]|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/spacex-elon-musk-colonize-mars/|url-status=live|access-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003205159/http://www.geekwire.com/2016/spacex-elon-musk-colonize-mars/|archive-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref> === Criticism and controversies === [[File:Elon_&_The_Starship_(50710186528).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|alt=Photograph of Elon Musk alongside the remains of Starship|Starship SN8 remains after it crashed to the ground]]Residents of [[Boca Chica Village, Texas|Boca Chica Village]] and [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], along with environmental activists, have criticized the Starship development program, stating that SpaceX has harmed local wildlife, conducted unauthorized test flights along with infrastructure's construction, and polluted the area with noise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=14 July 2021|title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|archive-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina|date=11 February 2020|title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly|publisher=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|archive-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=John|date=21 June 2021|title=SpaceX's New Rocket Factory Is Making Its Texas Neighbors Mad|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132224/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webner|first=Richard|date=13 July 2021|title='It just shouldn't be going on here'; Brownsville activists say Elon Musk's SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190114/https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Environmental groups have warned that SpaceX's Starship program threatens wildlife in the area, including 18 vulnerable and endangered species.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=2021-09-05|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site threatens wildlife, Texas environmental groups say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100945/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-07-28|title=As SpaceX races to expand launch site, concern grows for wildlife habitats in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Courthouse News|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050646/https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/}}</ref> Parts of the wildlife refuge were littered with rocket debris after failed test launches, which took three months to clean up.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=De La Rosa|first=Pablo|date=13 May 2021|title=As SpaceX Ramps Up Activity In The Rio Grande Valley, Local Concerns Grow|url=https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513005107/https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> A [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] employee complained of "unauthorized encroachments and trespass on the refuge" by SpaceX employees.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=SpaceX launch site brings controversy to Texas town|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launch-site-boca-chica-texas-60-minutes-plus/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en}}</ref> The Fish and Wildlife Service also claimed that SpaceX exceeded 1,000 hours of highway closures in 2019, well above the 300 hours they were permitted.<ref name=":22" /> In June 2021, Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz threatened to prosecute SpaceX for unauthorized road and beach closures, as well as employing security officers who may not be licensed to carry handguns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharp|first=Rachel|date=2021-06-16|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX may have broken Texas laws by blocking roads|url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9693973/Elon-Musks-SpaceX-warned-broken-Texas-laws-blocking-public-roads-Boca-Chica.html|access-date=2021-10-09|website=Mail Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-06-26|title=Threatened With Prosecution, SpaceX Defends Its Activities in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/threatened-with-prosecution-spacex-defends-its-activities-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-09|website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Herald|first=Laura B. Martinez-The Brownsville|date=2021-06-15|title=Cameron County DA: SpaceX may be violating Texas law|url=https://myrgv.com/local-news/2021/06/15/cameron-county-da-spacex-may-be-violating-texas-law/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=MyRGV.com|language=en-US}}</ref> SpaceX proceeded with SN8 launch and ignored [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s (FAA) warnings that the flight profile posed an unacceptable risk to the uninvolved public in the event of an explosion.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-06-15|title=SpaceX ignored last-minute warnings from the FAA before December Starship launch|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006042131/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-01-29|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX violated its launch license in explosive Starship test, triggering an FAA probe|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930204618/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-29|title=Congress raises concerns about FAA’s handling of Starship launch license violation|url=https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009133103/https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|url-status=live}}</ref> FAA space division chief [[Wayne Monteith]] said SpaceX's violation was “inconsistent with a strong safety culture", and criticized the company for proceeding with the launch “based on ‘impressions’ and ‘assumptions,’ rather than procedural checks and positive affirmations".<ref name=":21" /> Members of Congress voiced concerns about the FAA's response to SpaceX's launch license violations, calling on the FAA to "resist any potential undue influence on launch safety decision-making".<ref name=":20" /> Responding to these environmental concerns, as of October 2021, the FAA allows the public to comment until 1 November on the Boca Chica launch site's [[environmental impact statement]] draft, released on 19 September.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shepardson|first=David|date=30 September 2021|title=U.S. extends environmental review for SpaceX program in Texas|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/us-extends-environmental-review-spacex-program-texas-2021-09-30/|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001211318/https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/us-extends-environmental-review-spacex-program-texas-2021-09-30/|archive-date=1 October 2021}}</ref> Experts commented that SpaceX's programmatic environmental assessment is missing important details about where its fuel will come from such as how SpaceX is planning to build a 250-megawatt gas-fired power plant without specifying how SpaceX plans to get tens of millions of cubic feet of gas to the plant per day. Pat Parenteau, a law professor and senior counsel for the Environmental Advocacy Clinic at [[Vermont Law School]], noted how unusual it was for such details to not get mentioned in the programmatic environmental assessment and thus could violate the U.S. [[National Environmental Policy Act]].<ref name=":192">{{Cite web|title=The mystery of Elon Musk’s missing gas|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2021/10/08/the-mystery-of-elon-musks-missing-gas/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009132859/https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/08/the-mystery-of-elon-musks-missing-gas/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the other side, spaceflight enthusiasts and space news correspondents have applauded SpaceX's transparency because the public can be very close to the launch site.<ref>{{cite news|last=Macon|first=Alex|date=15 December 2020|title=When SpaceX Rockets Take Flight (Or Blow Up), LabPadre Is Watching|publisher=Texas Monthly|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/spacex-rockets-launch-labpadre-livestream/|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929072524/https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/spacex-rockets-launch-labpadre-livestream/|archive-date=29 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wattles|first=Jackie|date=9 April 2021|title=US$200,000 streaming rigs and millions of views: inside the cottage industry popping up around SpaceX|publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/tech/spacex-starship-livestream-youtube-scn/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622080600/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/tech/spacex-starship-livestream-youtube-scn/index.html|archive-date=22 June 2021}}</ref> == Development == {{For2|further information|[[SpaceX Starship development history]]|a list of test articles flights|[[List of SpaceX Starship launches]]}} === Design process === [[File:BFR in flight (cropped)-2018 version.png|alt=Artist's depiction of a white rocket, consisting of the booster firing its engines and the spacecraft at the top with its fins|thumb|Artist depiction by SpaceX of Big Falcon Rocket in flight]] The first reference by SpaceX of a rocket concept which has Starship lifting capabilities was in 2005. In a student conference, Musk briefly mentioned a theoretical [[Heavy-lift launch vehicle|heavy‑lift launch vehicle]] code-named BFR, later known as the Falcon XX.<ref>{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=14 November 2005|title=Big plans for SpaceX|publisher=The Space Review|url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/497/1|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124153155/http://www.thespacereview.com/article/497/1|archive-date=24 November 2005}}</ref> It would be powered by a larger version of the [[SpaceX Merlin|Merlin]] engine, called Merlin 2 and has a lifting capability of {{Cvt|140|metric ton|lb}} to low Earth orbit.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web|last=Markusic|first=Tom|date=28 July 2010|title=Series of presentation of SpaceX in July 2010|url=https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22395.msg623684#msg623684;attach=241178;sess=0|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030193349/http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22395.msg623684#msg623684;attach=241178;sess=0|archive-date=30 October 2013|access-date=9 October 2021|publisher=[[SpaceX]]|page=4|type=pdf}}</ref> In 2012, in a public discussion about a conceptual Mars colonization program, Musk described the Mars Colonial Transporter. It is envisioned as a reusable [[super heavy-lift launch vehicle]] that could deliver approximately {{cvt|150|to|200|metric ton|lb}} to [[low Earth orbit]]. The Mars Colonial Transporter might be powered by Raptors, consuming liquid methane and liquid oxygen.<ref name="dn20121213" /> In September 2016, at the 67th [[International Astronautical Congress]], Musk announced the Interplanetary Transport System (ITS), a conceptual reusable rocket conceived to launch humans to Mars and other destinations in the [[Solar System]]. The ITS is {{cvt|122|m}} tall, {{cvt|12|m}} wide, and capable of lifting {{cvt|300|metric ton|lb}} to low Earth orbit.<ref name="nsf20160927a" /> Both stages of the rocket are made from carbon composites. The first stage or booster named Interplanetary Transport System booster is powered by 42 Raptors, and the second stage or spacecraft named Interplanetary Spaceship is powered by nine Raptors.<ref name="nsf20161003">{{cite news|last=Belluscio|first=Alejandro G.|date=3 October 2016|title=ITS Propulsion – The evolution of the SpaceX Raptor engine|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/its-propulsion-evolution-raptor-engine/|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122165306/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/its-propulsion-evolution-raptor-engine/|archive-date=22 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Weitering|first=Hanneke|date=27 September 2016|title=SpaceX's Interplanetary Transport System for Mars Colonization in Images|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/34213-spacex-interplanetary-transport-mars-flights-in-images.html|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420094645/https://www.space.com/34213-spacex-interplanetary-transport-mars-flights-in-images.html|archive-date=20 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=24 October 2016|title=Elon Musk is about to test the 'trickiest' part of his Mars spaceship — a giant, potentially explosive black orb|publisher=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-carbon-fiber-fuel-tank-ocean-ship-test-2016-10|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420112503/https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-carbon-fiber-fuel-tank-ocean-ship-test-2016-10|archive-date=20 April 2019}}</ref> While in Earth orbit, if an Interplanetary Spaceship was refueled by other Interplanetary Spaceships, it [[delta-v|can accelerate]] to Mars.<ref name="sfi20160927">{{cite news|last=Richardson|first=Derek|date=27 September 2016|title=Elon Musk Shows Off Interplanetary Transport System|publisher=Spaceflight Insider|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/elon-musk-shows-off-interplanetary-transport-system/|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001225649/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/elon-musk-shows-off-interplanetary-transport-system/|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> When an Interplanetary Spaceship enters the atmosphere, it cools itself via [[Transpiration cooling|transpiration]] and controls the spacecraft's descent to the ground by moving its [[delta wing|delta wings]] and [[Split flap|split flaps]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=16 February 2019|title=Elon Musk says SpaceX is developing a 'bleeding' heavy-metal rocket ship. Making it work may be 100 times as hard as NASA's most difficult Mars mission, one expert says.|publisher=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starship-bleeding-transpirational-atmospheric-reentry-system-challenges-2019-2|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712132123/https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starship-bleeding-transpirational-atmospheric-reentry-system-challenges-2019-2|archive-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> At the 68th International Astronautical Congress the following September, Musk announced a replacement rocket {{cvt|106|m}} tall and {{cvt|9|m}} wide called the Big Falcon Rocket or informally Big Fucking Rocket.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malik|first=Tariq|date=14 September 2018|title=SpaceX Has Apparently Tweaked Its Giant BFR Rocket Design. And It Looks Awesome!|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/41825-spacex-giant-bfr-rocket-moon-flight-design-art.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825155706/https://www.space.com/41825-spacex-giant-bfr-rocket-moon-flight-design-art.html|archive-date=25 August 2021}}</ref> In that conference, he talked about a possible [[Sub-orbital spaceflight#Sub-orbital transportation|suborbital transportation]] feature and termed it Earth to Earth.<ref name="bi202006162">{{cite news|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=16 June 2020|title=Elon Musk: 'SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports' for its Starship rocket to reach the moon, Mars, and fly passengers around Earth|publisher=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-ocean-spaceports-offshore-engineer-job-posting-2020-6|url-status=live|access-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617073600/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-ocean-spaceports-offshore-engineer-job-posting-2020-6|archive-date=17 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="nsf20210119">{{cite news|last=Burghardt|first=Thomas|date=19 January 2021|title=SpaceX acquires former oil rigs to serve as floating Starship spaceports|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/spacex-rigs-starship-spaceports/|url-status=live|access-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120001114/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/spacex-rigs-starship-spaceports/|archive-date=20 January 2021}}</ref> In November 2018, the present names of the launch vehicle were first used: Super Heavy for the booster, Starship for the spacecraft, and Starship system or just Starship for the whole launch vehicle.<ref>{{cite news|date=20 November 2018|title=SpaceX's Elon Musk renames his big rocket 'Starship'|publisher=phys.org|url=https://phys.org/news/2018-11-spacex-elon-musk-renames-big.html|url-status=live|access-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618101716/https://phys.org/news/2018-11-spacex-elon-musk-renames-big.html|archive-date=18 June 2021}}</ref> Around that time, Musk announced a redesigned spacecraft concept that has three aft flaps and two forward flaps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=17 September 2018|title=Elon Musk reveals updated design for future SpaceX Mars rocket|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/17/17871724/spacex-big-falcon-rocket-bfr-mars-design-elon-musk|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412040645/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/17/17871724/spacex-big-falcon-rocket-bfr-mars-design-elon-musk|archive-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> In January 2019, Musk announced that Starship will be made from stainless steel<ref>{{cite news|last=D'Agostino|first=Ryan|date=22 January 2019|title=Elon Musk: Why I'm Building the Starship out of Stainless Steel|publisher=Popular Mechanics|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a25953663/elon-musk-spacex-bfr-stainless-steel/|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122161633/https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a25953663/elon-musk-spacex-bfr-stainless-steel/|archive-date=22 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=23 January 2019|title=Why Elon Musk Turned to Stainless Steel for SpaceX's Starship Mars Rocket|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/43101-elon-musk-explains-stainless-steel-starship.html|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203064031/https://www.space.com/43101-elon-musk-explains-stainless-steel-starship.html|archive-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> and stated that a stainless-steel Starship might be stronger than a similar mass carbon-composite rocket in a wide range of temperatures.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=8 January 2019|title=Here's why Elon Musk is tweeting constantly about a stainless-steel starship|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/01/elon-musk-is-really-really-excited-about-his-starship/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209005033/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/01/elon-musk-is-really-really-excited-about-his-starship/|archive-date=9 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=24 December 2018|title=Musk teases new details about redesigned next-generation launch system|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/musk-teases-new-details-about-redesigned-next-generation-launch-system/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20181225012035/https://spacenews.com/musk-teases-new-details-about-redesigned-next-generation-launch-system/|archive-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> The new design opted for a heat shield composed of hexagonal ceramic tiles instead of the more complicated transpiration cooling feature.<ref name=":14" /> In October 2019, the Starship spacecraft's engine configuration was changed to its present form: three Raptors optimized for atmospheric pressure and three optimized for the vacuum of space.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=20 October 2020|title=SpaceX fires up 3-engine Starship SN8 prototype ahead of epic test flight|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-prototype-static-fire|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227011643/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-prototype-static-fire|archive-date=27 February 2021|quote=The many prototypes are all informing the final design of Starship, which Musk has said will be powered by six Raptors — three "sea level" versions like the ones that fired up this morning, and three "vacuum" variants with much larger nozzles, which are optimized for in-space use.}}</ref> The number of rear fins in this new design was reduced from three to two and were placed at the heat shield's edges.<ref>{{cite news|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=30 September 2019|title=SpaceX details Starship and Super Heavy in new website|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2019/09/30/spacex-details-starship-and-super-heavy-in-new-website/|url-status=live|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911032447/https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/30/spacex-details-starship-and-super-heavy-in-new-website/|archive-date=11 September 2021}}</ref> === Testing campaign === [[File:SpaceX SN5 Starship 150m Hop & Powerslide.jpg|alt=A steel rocket stage hovering with an engine|thumb|SN5's hop at the Boca Chica launch site, firing a Raptor]] The [[SpaceX South Texas launch site|Boca Chica launch site]] is the primary facility for developing and testing Starship.<ref name="ars20210416" /> Starship test articles before launch are needed to pass the ambient-temperature pressure test, cryogenic [[proof test]], and [[static fire]] test. The ambient-temperature pressure test involves the stage's tanks filling inert room-temperature nitrogen gas to highlight leaks. After that, the cryogenic proof test assesses the vessel's strength by loading, then unloading, [[liquid nitrogen]].<ref name=":4">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=27 April 2020|title=Starship passes key pressurization test|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/starship-passes-key-pressurization-test/|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2021|quote=The Starship SN4 vehicle [...] was loaded with liquid nitrogen, a test designed to confirm its ability to hold cryogenic propellants at pressure. That test came a day after a pressurization test where the tanks were filled with gaseous nitrogen at ambient temperatures.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Finally, a static fire test confirms the engines' installation by loading propellant into a stage's tanks and firing the rocket engines.<ref name=":15">{{cite news|last=Tariq|first=Malik|date=20 July 2021|title=SpaceX test fires massive Super Heavy booster for Starship for 1st time (video)|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-rocket-booster-engine-test|url-status=live|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803210509/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-super-heavy-rocket-booster-engine-test|archive-date=3 August 2021}}</ref> Verified test articles will launch in different flight paths, depending on their objectives. On 27 August 2019, a simplified test article named ''Starhopper'' hopped {{cvt|150|m}} high.<ref name="spacenews20190827">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=27 August 2019|title=SpaceX's Starhopper completes test flight|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/spacexs-starhopper-completes-test-flight/|url-status=live|access-date=28 August 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Unveiled in a SpaceX event in September 2019, Starship Mk1 (Mark 1) was the first full‑scale Starship test article to be built, and the Mk2 in Florida was constructed five months later.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|date=5 October 2019|title=SpaceX's Starship is a new kind of rocket, in every sense|publisher=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/10/05/spacexs-starship-is-a-new-kind-of-rocket-in-every-sense|url-status=live|access-date=23 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111225747/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/10/05/spacexs-starship-is-a-new-kind-of-rocket-in-every-sense|archive-date=11 November 2019}}</ref> Despite that, both test articles had not flown: Mk1 failed a cryogenic proof test and Mk2 was scrapped for parts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Marley|first=Ronnie|date=20 November 2019|title=SpaceX moving to MK3 vehicle following incident at Boca Chica Facility|publisher=CBS News|url=https://valleycentral.com/news/local/spacex-starship-mk1-explodes-at-boca-chica-facility|url-status=live|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217150935/https://valleycentral.com/news/local/spacex-starship-mk1-explodes-at-boca-chica-facility|archive-date=17 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="verge-20191120">{{cite news|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=20 November 2019|title=SpaceX's prototype Starship rocket partially bursts during testing in Texas|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/20/20974884/spacex-starship-rocket-prototype-failure-test-texas|url-status=live|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121085720/https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/20/20974884/spacex-starship-rocket-prototype-failure-test-texas|archive-date=21 November 2019}}</ref> In early 2020, SpaceX changed the then-constructing Mk3's name to SN1 (serial number 1).<ref>{{cite news|last=Torbet|first=Georgina|date=27 April 2020|title=SpaceX Starship Successfully Passes Pressure Testing|publisher=Digital Trends|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/spacex-starship-sn4-pass-pressure-test/|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301073531/https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/spacex-starship-sn4-pass-pressure-test/|archive-date=1 March 2021}}</ref> During a cryogenic proof test on 28 February 2021, a fault in SN1's bottom tank caused it to crumble. On 8 March 2020, SN2 (Mk4) as a stripped-down test tank completed its only cryogenic proof test.<ref name="space-20200310">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=10 March 2020|title=SpaceX's latest Starship prototype passes big tank pressure test|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn2-prototype-pressure-test.html|url-status=live|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311202449/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn2-prototype-pressure-test.html|archive-date=11 March 2020}}</ref> On 3 April 2020, during SN3's cryogenic proof test, a valve leaked the liquid nitrogen inside its lower tank, causing the vessel to depressurize and collapse the test article.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bartels|first=Meghan|date=3 April 2020|title=SpaceX's Starship SN3 prototype collapses in pressure tank test|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn3-pressure-test-failure.html|url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918053840/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn3-pressure-test-failure.html|archive-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> After SN4's fifth successful static fire test on 29 May 2020, the [[Quick connect fitting|quick disconnect fuel line]] exploded the test article.<ref name="sn20200529">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=29 May 2020|title=SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed after static-fire test|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-starship-prototype-destroyed-after-static-fire-test/|url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918121721/https://spacenews.com/spacex-starship-prototype-destroyed-after-static-fire-test/|archive-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> On 4 August 2020, SN5 completed a {{cvt|150|m}} hop using a single Raptor, becoming the first full-scale test article to complete a flight test and be intact.<ref name="techcrunch-20200804">{{cite news|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=5 August 2020|title=SpaceX Successfully Flies its Starship Prototype to a Height of Around 500 Feet|publisher=TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/04/spacex-successfully-flies-its-starship-prototype-to-a-height-of-around-500-feet/|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519235715/https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/04/spacex-successfully-flies-its-starship-prototype-to-a-height-of-around-500-feet/|archive-date=19 May 2021}}</ref> On 24 August 2020, SN6 replicated SN5's flight path successfully.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=9 September 2020|title=Watch SpaceX's SN6 Starship prototype soar on test flight (video)|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn6-prototype-test-flight-video.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829122256/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn6-prototype-test-flight-video.html|archive-date=29 August 2021}}</ref> SN7 was not completed, but as of October 2021, its tanks are used for various experiments.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malik|first=Tariq|date=23 June 2020|title=Boom! SpaceX pops huge Starship SN7 test tank on purpose in pressure test (videos)|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn7-test-tank-destroyed-videos.html|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719130934/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn7-test-tank-destroyed-videos.html|archive-date=19 July 2020}}</ref> SN8 is the first complete Starship spacecraft test article, which has three atmosphere-optimized Raptors, a [[nose cone]], and two pairs of body flaps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wattles|first=Jackie|date=10 December 2020|title=Space X's Mars prototype rocket exploded yesterday. Here's what happened on the flight|publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/tech/spacex-starship-sn8-test-flight-recap-scn/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210223909/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/tech/spacex-starship-sn8-test-flight-recap-scn/index.html|archive-date=10 December 2020}}</ref> In October and November 2020, SN8 underwent four static fire tests; the first, second, and fourth were successful, but the third caused an engine shutdown. According to Musk, the force from the engine destroyed parts of the launch pad and some pieces of it flew into the engine.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=24 November 2020|title=SpaceX's Starship SN8 prototype fires engines ahead of major test flight|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-fourth-static-fire|url-status=live|access-date=5 October 2021|website=[[Space.com]]|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123055557/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn8-fourth-static-fire}}</ref> On 9 December 2020, SN8 performed the first flight by a Starship, reaching an altitude of {{cvt|12.5|km}}. During landing, its methane header tank did not provide sufficient fuel to the Raptors, causing one of its engines to produce low thrust. The landing engine could not slow down the test article sufficiently and led to the test article's explosion on impact.<ref name=":10">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=10 December 2020|title=SpaceX's Starship SN8 Prototype Soars on Epic Test Launch, with Explosive Landing|publisher=Scientific American|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starship-sn8-prototype-soars-on-epic-test-launch-with-explosive-landing/|url-status=live|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123020133/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starship-sn8-prototype-soars-on-epic-test-launch-with-explosive-landing/|archive-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> On 2 February 2021, SN9 flew {{cvt|10|km}} high.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mack|first=Eric|date=7 January 2021|title=SpaceX Starship SN9 flies high, explodes on landing just like SN8|publisher=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/spacex-starship-sn9-rocket-flies-high-explodes-on-landing-just-like-sn8/|url-status=live|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918040913/https://www.cnet.com/news/spacex-starship-sn9-rocket-flies-high-explodes-on-landing-just-like-sn8/|archive-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> While descending, one of its engines did not function and burst itself on landing at an angle.<ref name=":12">{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=2 February 2021|title=SpaceX's Starship prototype again explodes on landing attempt after successful launch|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/02/spacex-starship-sn9-explodes-on-attempted-landing.html|url-status=live|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202204159/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/02/spacex-starship-sn9-explodes-on-attempted-landing.html|archive-date=2 February 2021}}</ref> On 3 March 2021, SN10 repeated SN9's flight path, then [[Hard landing|hard landed]] and set off itself 8 minutes later.<ref name=":13">{{cite news|last=Chang|first=Kenneth|date=3 March 2021|title=SpaceX Mars Rocket Prototype Explodes, but This Time It Lands First|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/science/spacex-starship-launch-sn10.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605013824/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/science/spacex-starship-launch-sn10.html|archive-date=5 June 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mack|first=Eric|date=12 March 2021|title=Elon Musk reveals an early sign that SpaceX Starship SN10 was going to explode|publisher=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-why-spacex-starship-sn10-exploded-after-landing/|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808232254/https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-why-spacex-starship-sn10-exploded-after-landing/|archive-date=8 August 2021}}</ref>[[File:Starship SN15 liftoff 1.jpg|alt=A steel rocket firing its engine with an orange plume|thumb|Liftoff of SN15 at the Boca Chica launch site, firing three Raptors]]The first Super Heavy booster named BN1 (booster number 1) finished construction on 8 March 2021, but it had not flown or installed Raptors.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=29 March 2021|title=Starship SN11 lands in bits as SpaceX refine forward plan|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/03/starship-sn11-returns-super-heavy-bn1-rollout-follow/|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814004802/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/03/starship-sn11-returns-super-heavy-bn1-rollout-follow/|archive-date=14 August 2021}}</ref> On 30 March 2021, SN11 exploded in midair without a confirmed explanation because of the dense fog at the launch site.<ref>{{cite news|last=Griffin|first=Andrew|date=1 April 2021|title=Elon Musk confirms SpaceX Starship exploded in 'crater'|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/space/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-sn11-twitter-b1824437.html|url-status=dead|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401083208/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/space/spacex-launch-elon-musk-starship-sn11-twitter-b1824437.html|archive-date=1 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=6 April 2021|title=Engine explosion blamed for latest Starship crash|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/engine-explosion-blamed-for-latest-starship-crash/|url-status=live|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929091019/https://spacenews.com/engine-explosion-blamed-for-latest-starship-crash/|archive-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> A possible explanation is that an engine might have burned the test article's [[avionics]] and could have caused a [[hard start]] on the engine's [[turbopump]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=5 April 2021|title=SpaceX identifies cause of Starship SN11 prototype's crash|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn11-crash-cause|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507050858/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn11-crash-cause|archive-date=7 May 2021}}</ref> After the launch, SpaceX skipped SN12, SN13, SN14, and BN2, and incorporated obsolete test articles' improvements to SN15 instead.<ref name=":8">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|date=13 April 2021|title=SpaceX's SN15 Starship prototype rolls out to launch pad|publisher=Space.com|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn15-launch-pad|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424192858/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn15-launch-pad|archive-date=24 April 2021}}</ref> On 5 May 2021, the test article flew the same flight path as previous test articles and [[Soft landing (aeronautics)|soft landed]] on the landing pad.<ref name=":18">{{cite news|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=5 May 2021|title=SpaceX Starship prototype makes clean landing|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57004604|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506070737/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57004604|archive-date=6 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gorman|first=Steve|date=6 May 2021|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX Starship completes successful launch and landing after several fiery failures|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spacex-starship-rocket-prototype-achieves-first-safe-landing-2021-05-06/|url-status=live|access-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506040354/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spacex-starship-rocket-prototype-achieves-first-safe-landing-2021-05-06/|archive-date=6 May 2021}}</ref> After the landing, SN15 did not explode and was recovered.<ref name=":18" /> On 20 July 2021, Super Heavy booster BN3 fired its engines for the only time.<ref name=":15" /> As of October 2021, SN15, SN16, and BN3 are retired and displayed.<ref name=":18" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=3 July 2021|title=Booster 3 opens Super Heavy test campaign as orbital vehicles prepare to stack|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/07/booster-3-super-heavy-test-campaign/|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711105222/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/07/booster-3-super-heavy-test-campaign/|archive-date=11 July 2021}}</ref> As of October 2021, skipping over SN16, SN17, SN18, and SN19, SN20 along with BN4{{Efn|name=b}} are assigned to an orbital flight scheduled for late 2021. Despite that, the FAA has not finalized the [[environmental impact statement]] draft released on 19 September 2021.<ref>{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=17 September 2021|title=The FAA releases initial report on Boca Chica launches, and it's not terrible|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/the-faa-releases-initial-report-on-boca-chica-launches-and-its-not-terrible/|url-status=live|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920082838/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/the-faa-releases-initial-report-on-boca-chica-launches-and-its-not-terrible/|archive-date=20 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author-link=SpaceX|date=17 September 2021|title=Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas|url=https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship/media/Draft_PEA_for_SpaceX_Starship_Super_Heavy_at_Boca_Chica.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917182019/https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship/media/Draft_PEA_for_SpaceX_Starship_Super_Heavy_at_Boca_Chica.pdf|archive-date=17 September 2021|access-date=24 September 2021|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sommerlad|first=Joe|date=28 May 2021|title=Elon Musk reveals Starship progress ahead of first orbital flight of Mars-bound craft|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/space/elon-musk-starship-sn16-mars-b1855721.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823165544/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/space/elon-musk-starship-sn16-mars-b1855721.html|archive-date=23 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=6 August 2021|title=Biggest ever rocket is assembled briefly in Texas|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58120874|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811063944/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58120874|archive-date=11 August 2021}}</ref> The whole rocket is planned to launch from Boca Chica and head toward the middle of the [[Straits of Florida]]. BN4 is expected to separate about three minutes into the orbital flight and splashdown in the [[Gulf of Mexico]], approximately {{cvt|30|km}} from the shoreline. SN20 is then expected to accelerate itself close to [[orbital speed]], then splashdown ninety minutes later at about {{Cvt|100|km|4=-1}} northwest of [[Kauai]].<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=13 May 2021|title=From Texas to Hawaii: SpaceX plans first orbital Starship test|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/13/22434825/elon-musk-spacex-first-orbital-starship-test-texas-hawaii|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828051702/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/13/22434825/elon-musk-spacex-first-orbital-starship-test-texas-hawaii|archive-date=28 August 2021|access-date=30 September 2021|publisher=The Verge}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{cite web|title=Starship Orbital - First Flight FCC Exhibit|url=https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=273481|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513192042/https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=273481|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref><gallery mode="packed" widths="150" heights="150" caption="Picture of Starship test articles"> File:Mk1 starship.jpg|alt=Photograph of equipment in front of white tents, with a steel nose cone at the back|Nose cone of Starship Mk1 near construction tents File:SpaceX Starhopper.jpg|alt=Photograph of a short steel rocket stage with its fins touching the ground|''Starhopper'' in construction File:Starship sn5.jpg|alt=Photograph of a crane hooking onto a steel vessel body|A crane lifting Starship SN5 File:Tanksn7.1.jpg|alt=Photograph of a steel tank|Starship SN7's tank File:Starship SN9 Open Rear Flap.jpg|alt=Photograph of a spacecraft with a pair of steel flaps on top and bottom|Starship SN9 on the launchpad File:Starship SN20 getting a tile inspection.jpg|alt=Photograph of a worker on an aerial work platform repairing a spacecraft's black heatshield|A worker is examining Starship SN20's ceramic tiles </gallery> === Test articles timeline === {{See also|SpaceX Starship development history#Starship prototypes|label 1=List of SpaceX Starship test articles}} :''Note: The start dates are when the test articles were first spotted by the public, and the end dates are when the test articles are destroyed, decommissioned, or retired.''{{Starship Timeline}} == Notes == {{Notelist}} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{portal|Rocketry|Spaceflight}} * {{Commons category-inline|2=Starship}} * [https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship Starship's official website by SpaceX] {{Artemis program}} {{Cargo spacecraft}} {{Crewed spacecraft}} {{Expendable launch systems}} {{SpaceX}} [[Category:Cargo spacecraft]] [[Category:Landers (spacecraft)]] [[Category:Proposed spacecraft]] [[Category:Proposed reusable launch systems]] [[Category:Space colonization]] [[Category:SpaceX launch vehicles]] [[Category:SpaceX Starship]] [[Category:VTVL rockets]]'
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'@@ -102,5 +102,5 @@ === Criticism and controversies === -[[File:Elon_&_The_Starship_(50710186528).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|alt=Photograph of Elon Musk alongside the remains of Starship|Starship SN8 remains after it crashed to the ground]]Residents of [[Boca Chica Village, Texas|Boca Chica Village]] and [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], along with environmental activists, have criticized the Starship development program, stating that SpaceX has harmed local wildlife, conducted unauthorized test flights along with infrastructure's construction, and polluted the area with noise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=14 July 2021|title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|archive-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina|date=11 February 2020|title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly|publisher=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|archive-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=John|date=21 June 2021|title=SpaceX's New Rocket Factory Is Making Its Texas Neighbors Mad|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132224/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webner|first=Richard|date=13 July 2021|title='It just shouldn't be going on here'; Brownsville activists say Elon Musk's SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190114/https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Environmental groups have warned that SpaceX's Starship program threatens wildlife in the area, including 18 vulnerable and endangered species.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=2021-09-05|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site threatens wildlife, Texas environmental groups say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100945/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-07-28|title=As SpaceX races to expand launch site, concern grows for wildlife habitats in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Courthouse News|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050646/https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/}}</ref> Parts of the wildlife refuge were littered with rocket debris after failed test launches, which took three months to clean up.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=De La Rosa|first=Pablo|date=13 May 2021|title=As SpaceX Ramps Up Activity In The Rio Grande Valley, Local Concerns Grow|url=https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513005107/https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> A [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] employee complained of "unauthorized encroachments and trespass on the refuge" by SpaceX employees.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=SpaceX launch site brings controversy to Texas town|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launch-site-boca-chica-texas-60-minutes-plus/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en}}</ref> The Fish and Wildlife Service also claimed that SpaceX exceeded 1,000 hours of highway closures in 2019, well above the 300 hours they were permitted.<ref name=":22" /> +[[File:Elon_&_The_Starship_(50710186528).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|alt=Photograph of Elon Musk alongside the remains of Starship|Starship SN8 remains after it crashed to the ground]]Residents of [[Boca Chica Village, Texas|Boca Chica Village]] and [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], along with environmental activists, have criticized the Starship development program, stating that SpaceX has harmed local wildlife, conducted unauthorized test flights along with infrastructure's construction, and polluted the area with noise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=14 July 2021|title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|archive-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina|date=11 February 2020|title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly|publisher=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|archive-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=John|date=21 June 2021|title=SpaceX's New Rocket Factory Is Making Its Texas Neighbors Mad|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132224/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webner|first=Richard|date=13 July 2021|title='It just shouldn't be going on here'; Brownsville activists say Elon Musk's SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190114/https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Environmental groups have warned that SpaceX's Starship program threatens wildlife in the area, including 18 vulnerable and endangered species.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=2021-09-05|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site threatens wildlife, Texas environmental groups say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100945/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-07-28|title=As SpaceX races to expand launch site, concern grows for wildlife habitats in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Courthouse News|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050646/https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/}}</ref> Parts of the wildlife refuge were littered with rocket debris after failed test launches, which took three months to clean up.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=De La Rosa|first=Pablo|date=13 May 2021|title=As SpaceX Ramps Up Activity In The Rio Grande Valley, Local Concerns Grow|url=https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513005107/https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> A [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] employee complained of "unauthorized encroachments and trespass on the refuge" by SpaceX employees.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=SpaceX launch site brings controversy to Texas town|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launch-site-boca-chica-texas-60-minutes-plus/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en}}</ref> The Fish and Wildlife Service also claimed that SpaceX exceeded 1,000 hours of highway closures in 2019, well above the 300 hours they were permitted.<ref name=":22" /> In June 2021, Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz threatened to prosecute SpaceX for unauthorized road and beach closures, as well as employing security officers who may not be licensed to carry handguns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharp|first=Rachel|date=2021-06-16|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX may have broken Texas laws by blocking roads|url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9693973/Elon-Musks-SpaceX-warned-broken-Texas-laws-blocking-public-roads-Boca-Chica.html|access-date=2021-10-09|website=Mail Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-06-26|title=Threatened With Prosecution, SpaceX Defends Its Activities in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/threatened-with-prosecution-spacex-defends-its-activities-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-09|website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Herald|first=Laura B. Martinez-The Brownsville|date=2021-06-15|title=Cameron County DA: SpaceX may be violating Texas law|url=https://myrgv.com/local-news/2021/06/15/cameron-county-da-spacex-may-be-violating-texas-law/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=MyRGV.com|language=en-US}}</ref> SpaceX proceeded with SN8 launch and ignored [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s (FAA) warnings that the flight profile posed an unacceptable risk to the uninvolved public in the event of an explosion.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-06-15|title=SpaceX ignored last-minute warnings from the FAA before December Starship launch|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006042131/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22352366/elon-musk-spacex-faa-warnings-starship-sn8-launch-violation-texas|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=2021-01-29|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX violated its launch license in explosive Starship test, triggering an FAA probe|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930204618/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/29/22256657/spacex-launch-violation-explosive-starship-faa-investigation-elon-musk|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-29|title=Congress raises concerns about FAA’s handling of Starship launch license violation|url=https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009133103/https://spacenews.com/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation/|url-status=live}}</ref> FAA space division chief [[Wayne Monteith]] said SpaceX's violation was “inconsistent with a strong safety culture", and criticized the company for proceeding with the launch “based on ‘impressions’ and ‘assumptions,’ rather than procedural checks and positive affirmations".<ref name=":21" /> Members of Congress voiced concerns about the FAA's response to SpaceX's launch license violations, calling on the FAA to "resist any potential undue influence on launch safety decision-making".<ref name=":20" /> '
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[ 0 => '[[File:Elon_&_The_Starship_(50710186528).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|alt=Photograph of Elon Musk alongside the remains of Starship|Starship SN8 remains after it crashed to the ground]]Residents of [[Boca Chica Village, Texas|Boca Chica Village]] and [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], along with environmental activists, have criticized the Starship development program, stating that SpaceX has harmed local wildlife, conducted unauthorized test flights along with infrastructure's construction, and polluted the area with noise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=14 July 2021|title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|archive-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina|date=11 February 2020|title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly|publisher=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|archive-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=John|date=21 June 2021|title=SpaceX's New Rocket Factory Is Making Its Texas Neighbors Mad|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132224/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webner|first=Richard|date=13 July 2021|title='It just shouldn't be going on here'; Brownsville activists say Elon Musk's SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190114/https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Environmental groups have warned that SpaceX's Starship program threatens wildlife in the area, including 18 vulnerable and endangered species.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=2021-09-05|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site threatens wildlife, Texas environmental groups say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100945/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-07-28|title=As SpaceX races to expand launch site, concern grows for wildlife habitats in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Courthouse News|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050646/https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/}}</ref> Parts of the wildlife refuge were littered with rocket debris after failed test launches, which took three months to clean up.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=De La Rosa|first=Pablo|date=13 May 2021|title=As SpaceX Ramps Up Activity In The Rio Grande Valley, Local Concerns Grow|url=https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513005107/https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> A [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] employee complained of "unauthorized encroachments and trespass on the refuge" by SpaceX employees.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=SpaceX launch site brings controversy to Texas town|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launch-site-boca-chica-texas-60-minutes-plus/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en}}</ref> The Fish and Wildlife Service also claimed that SpaceX exceeded 1,000 hours of highway closures in 2019, well above the 300 hours they were permitted.<ref name=":22" /> In June 2021, Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz threatened to prosecute SpaceX for unauthorized road and beach closures, as well as employing security officers who may not be licensed to carry handguns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharp|first=Rachel|date=2021-06-16|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX may have broken Texas laws by blocking roads|url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9693973/Elon-Musks-SpaceX-warned-broken-Texas-laws-blocking-public-roads-Boca-Chica.html|access-date=2021-10-09|website=Mail Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-06-26|title=Threatened With Prosecution, SpaceX Defends Its Activities in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/threatened-with-prosecution-spacex-defends-its-activities-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-09|website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Herald|first=Laura B. Martinez-The Brownsville|date=2021-06-15|title=Cameron County DA: SpaceX may be violating Texas law|url=https://myrgv.com/local-news/2021/06/15/cameron-county-da-spacex-may-be-violating-texas-law/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=MyRGV.com|language=en-US}}</ref>' ]
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[ 0 => '[[File:Elon_&_The_Starship_(50710186528).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|alt=Photograph of Elon Musk alongside the remains of Starship|Starship SN8 remains after it crashed to the ground]]Residents of [[Boca Chica Village, Texas|Boca Chica Village]] and [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], along with environmental activists, have criticized the Starship development program, stating that SpaceX has harmed local wildlife, conducted unauthorized test flights along with infrastructure's construction, and polluted the area with noise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=14 July 2021|title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html|archive-date=4 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina|date=11 February 2020|title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly|publisher=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/|archive-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=John|date=21 June 2021|title=SpaceX's New Rocket Factory Is Making Its Texas Neighbors Mad|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132224/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/26/1009487890/spacexs-new-rocket-factory-is-making-its-texas-neighbors-mad|archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webner|first=Richard|date=13 July 2021|title='It just shouldn't be going on here'; Brownsville activists say Elon Musk's SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|url-status=live|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721190114/https://www.expressnews.com/sa-inc/article/Elon-Musk-SpaceX-damaging-wildlife-habitat-16314467.php|archive-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Environmental groups have warned that SpaceX's Starship program threatens wildlife in the area, including 18 vulnerable and endangered species.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=2021-09-05|title=Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site threatens wildlife, Texas environmental groups say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100945/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=De La Garza|first=Erik|date=2021-07-28|title=As SpaceX races to expand launch site, concern grows for wildlife habitats in South Texas|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Courthouse News|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050646/https://www.courthousenews.com/as-spacex-races-to-expand-launch-site-concern-grows-for-wildlife-habitats-in-south-texas/}}</ref> Parts of the wildlife refuge were littered with rocket debris after failed test launches, which took three months to clean up.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=De La Rosa|first=Pablo|date=13 May 2021|title=As SpaceX Ramps Up Activity In The Rio Grande Valley, Local Concerns Grow|url=https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513005107/https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow|archive-date=13 May 2021|access-date=2021-10-08|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> A [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] employee complained of "unauthorized encroachments and trespass on the refuge" by SpaceX employees.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=SpaceX launch site brings controversy to Texas town|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launch-site-boca-chica-texas-60-minutes-plus/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en}}</ref> The Fish and Wildlife Service also claimed that SpaceX exceeded 1,000 hours of highway closures in 2019, well above the 300 hours they were permitted.<ref name=":22" />' ]
Whether or not the change was made through a Tor exit node (tor_exit_node)
false
Unix timestamp of change (timestamp)
1633814010