Why has the second Starship test launch been postponed again? What is the new launch date?
SpaceX has postponed the second-ever flight of its giant spacecraft Starship for at least one day because the company needs to replace a grid fin actuator.
SpaceX initially scheduled the second test launch of its mammoth Starship rocket on the morning of Friday, November 17. However, the much-awaited event has been postponed.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that they need to change one of the rocket’s parts.
“We need to replace a grid fin actuator, so launch is postponed to Saturday,” he tweeted.
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What is a grid fin?
A grid fin, or grid fin stabilizer, is a type of aerodynamic control surface used on some rockets to control their orientation and trajectory during descent. Grid fins are usually employed during the landing phase of a rocket, especially when the rocket is intended to land vertically. They have a distinctive lattice-like structure, resembling a grid, waffle, or mesh. The design allows them to create aerodynamic drag and generate lift, providing control authority during descent.
SpaceX is known for its use of grid fins on the first stages of its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, and now Starship Super Heavy, rockets. These grid fins play a crucial role in the controlled descent and landing of the rocket’s first stage, which would facilitate the vehicle’s reusability.
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What is the new date of the second Starship test launch?
The launch is now set to take place in South Texas on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, around 8 a.m. ET. The new schedule will enable more people to view the event as it falls on the weekend. SpaceX will livestream the event on their social media channels, and other space-related channels and organizations will also broadcast Starship’s lift-off.
Starship is part of SpaceX’s ambitious program for outer space transportation, hoping to someday send both crew and cargo to the moon and other heavenly bodies.