Story continues after Advertisements

SpaceX is set to perform the fourth fully-integrated flight test of its Starship vehicle (Flight 4), targeting a launch from Starbase in Texas on Thursday, June 6. The 120-minute launch window opens at 7:00 a.m. Central Time (CT), with a live broadcast starting about 30 minutes before liftoff. SpaceX founder Chief Engineer Elon Musk announced that Flight 4 “will be live-streamed exclusively on 𝕏!”

Those interested in viewing Starship Flight 4 in person can do so from Isla Blanca Park at South Padre Island, Texas, or any public beach access on the island that is facing the direction of Boca Chica Beach. Hundreds are expected to gather at the island to witness the historic spaceflight.

Building on the successes of the third flight, which included the first Starship reentry from space and a successful propellant transfer demonstration, the fourth flight test aims to advance the reusability of both the Starship and Super Heavy booster. Key objectives include executing a landing burn and a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico for the booster, and achieving a controlled entry for Starship, which is planned to splash down in the Indian Ocean. If the flight achieves every planned objective, the flight is expected to last around an hour.

SpaceX has made several software and hardware upgrades to enhance reliability and address lessons learned from the previous flights. With every test, the company gets closer to returning NASA astronauts to the moon by September 2026 as part of the Artemis program. The agency has been working alongside SpaceX and Axiom Space to design spaceflight technology and spacesuits that will enable humanity to pave the way to build the first permanent lunar base.

Cosmic Chronicles journalist visited the Starbase launch site today ahead of liftoff and captured some photos and videos of the region, shown below. SpaceX has built new structures, including a multi-level parking lot and a giant building with glass windows which will likely be SpaceX’s Starbase mission control center for Starship operations.

Visited Starbase today!
I'm excited to watch Starship Flight 4 ♥︎ pic.twitter.com/8UlZ4CNYMF

— Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo (@JaneidyEve) June 5, 2024

Author’s note: Thanks for reading Cosmic Chronicles. Write your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have story suggestions or feedback, Direct Message me on social media 𝕏: Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo @JaneidyEve. Read the most recent stories featured below. Thank You.

Support Cosmic Chronicles by Subscribing to our authors on 𝕏. This month, they are reading weekly stories for subscribers. Visit: X.com/JaneidyEve

Subscribe to listen to me read Cosmic Chronicles stories on 𝕏
Thanks to everyone who has subscribed. 💜https://t.co/7X1ZUeUfvC pic.twitter.com/4Ez890XhbO

— Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo (@JaneidyEve) April 4, 2024