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Mega rocket Starship could enable new types of astrophysics

SpaceX’s Starship is poised to launch. As well as ferrying astronauts to the Moon and one day Mars, it could launch heavy science payloads, such as telescopes.
  1. Alexandra Witze
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SpaceX’s massive Starship vehicle, meant to provide a way for astronauts to visit the Moon and Mars, is preparing to launch for the first time. If successful, the flight will make Starship the most powerful rocket ever to leave Earth’s surface. No people will be on board for the first full test, which was scheduled for 17 April but has been delayed for at least 48 hours because of a frozen pressure valve.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-01306-4

Updates & Corrections

  • Clarification 20 April 2023: NASA’s contribution of $1.15 billion to SpaceX in November 2022 has been added to the story.

  • Update 18 April 2023: The story has been updated following interviews with Laura Forczyk, Jennifer Heldmann and Tanya Harrison.

References

  1. Elvis, M., Lawrence, C. & Seager, S. Physics Today 76, 40 (2023).

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  2. Heldmann, J. L. et al. New Space 10, 259–273 (2022).

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