SpaceX is preparing the next major test flight for its upcoming Starship rocket from southern Texas. As early as mid-March, the company is planning to launch the test version of the spacecraft to a super high altitude and then land it upright on solid ground, demonstrating that the rocket can be reused and eventually landed on other planets.
In its filing, SpaceX states that it needs special authority to communicate with its Starship rocket while the spacecraft flies at an altitude of 12.4 miles or 20 kilometer, almost halfway to the edge of space. Starship would take off from the SpaceX test facility in Boca Chica, Florida, and the company would try to land the spacecraft near the launch site using the Raptor rocket engines. SpaceX, however, plans to send data of the vehicle’s trajectory to both the Air Force and NASA.
Musk has announced on Twitter that SpaceX is holding a career day this Thursday to enable staff to oversee the construction of Starships at Boca Chica. Musk noted that people need “a super tough work ethic, passion for building things, common sense and trustworthiness.” Applicants can be trained on all the other requirements for the jobs, Musk added.
