SpaceX will launch its next Starship megarocket test flight in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 6, and if you plan to watch it live, you’ll need to know when and where to tune in. And for that, dear space fans, we have what you need.
SpaceX’s goal 08:00 EDT (1200 GMT) Launch for the Starship Flight 4 test flight of the Starship and Super Heavy megarocket from the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas. This may change slightly before launch, but timing your viewing party is a great goal.
SpaceX will offer a free live webcast of the launch of Starship Flight 4 for approx. 07:30 EDT (1130 GMT). You can watch the live stream here on Space.com, courtesy of SpaceX. Here’s a look at exactly when and how to watch Starship’s next launch.
What time will SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4 launch?
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Currently, SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4 is scheduled to launch at: 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) or 7 a.m. CDT From the company’s Starbase test site near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas. But SpaceX has a 120-minute window to launch the Flight 4 mission, so Starship could take off anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 a.m. 10:00 EDT (1400 GMT).
“As with all developmental testing, the program is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to follow our X account for updates,” SpaceX wrote in its mission statement.
Starship and its Super Heavy booster are the most powerful rocket in the world. When put together, they stand approximately 400 feet (122 meters) tall; The first stage is powered by 33 Raptor engines, while the Starship upper stage is powered by six Raptors.
SpaceX said its Starship launch system is designed to be fully reusable and fly to deep space targets such as the moon, Mars or beyond. NASA has selected Starship to land Artemis 3 astronauts on the moon in late 2026. But before landing on the moon, Starship must reach space and prove it can re-enter safely. That’s what Flight 4 is about.
“The fourth flight test shifts our focus from reaching orbit to demonstrating the ability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy,” SpaceX said in its mission statement. said. SpaceX has conducted three test flights so far, but the first two did not reach space. Starship Flight 3 reached space, but both the Starship and Super Heavy stages broke up while returning to Earth.
Relating to: For a detailed look, check out our SpaceX Starship and Superheavy guide
Can I watch the launch of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4?
Yes, you’ll be able to watch the launch of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4 online, and you’ll be able to choose where to watch.
The first and most obvious place to watch the launch will be on SpaceX’s X account (formerly Twitter). 30 minutes before departure – i.e. approximately 7:30 EDT (1130 GMT).
Space.com will stream SpaceX live on our homepage and at the top of this page, as well as on our own VideoFromSpace YouTube channel.
If you want to check on SpaceX’s Flight 4 status BEFORE SpaceX’s live broadcast, consider watching NASASpaceflight.com’s YouTube channel, which offers live views of SpaceX’s Starship, Starbase pads, and other locations, and will likely offer live commentary during the fueling process . .
If you’re in or near the Boca Chica, Texas area and hoping to watch the Starship launch in person, there are a variety of locations to choose from.
SpaceX doesn’t have an official viewing site, but you can visit various public beaches to watch the launch. Nearby South Padre Island offers clear views of the rocket from the coastline near the Cameron County Amphitheater and Isla Blanca Park. You can also find similar beach viewing spots off the coast of nearby Port Isabel.
I actually watched the April 2023 launch of Starship Flight 1 from the Cameron County Amphitheater on South Padre Island, and I can assure you it offers unobstructed views to viewers on the beach (except for some boats in the harbor). (There’s also a public restroom, which is always a plus.) You’ll want to bring a folding chair, water, sunscreen, and other supplies. Traffic to and from the site can be heavy, so consider this in your travel plan.
How long is SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4?
If all goes as planned, SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4 is expected to last just over an hour.
Flight 4 will fly in a similar orbit to SpaceX’s Starship Flight 3 launch on March 14; this flight aimed for a 65-minute mission from launch to Starship splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
“This flight path does not require a deorbit burn for reentry, maximizing public safety while also providing the opportunity to achieve our primary goal of controlled Starship reentry,” SpaceX wrote in its mission description.
Meanwhile, the Super Heavy booster is expected to fly for approximately 7 minutes, with a landing burn planned for 6 minutes 43 seconds after liftoff. SpaceX hopes it will perform a controlled “landing” and soft landing in the Gulf of Mexico, miles off the coast of Boca Chica.
What if Starship can’t launch on Thursday?
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If SpaceX can’t launch Starship Flight 4 on June 6, the company is likely to have at least one (or even more) backup day to fall back on.
Officials in Cameron County, the South Texas area that includes SpaceX’s Starbase facility, listed June 7 and June 8 as backup days in a beach closure advisory to the public. These closures will last from 12:00 to 2:00 pm local time on both days, or approximately 1:00 to 3:00 pm EDT.
Of course, any backup launch attempt will depend on how far SpaceX is in the process of refueling Starship and Super Heavy. In the past, SpaceX has said it would take several days to restock the more than 10 million pounds of supercold liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellant needed for launch.
If a technical issue delays the launch of Starship Flight 4, SpaceX will likely have to wait until the problem is resolved to try again.