Live coverage: SpaceX to launch its Starship rocket on its fourth test flight

 SpaceX is preparing for the fourth test flight of its Starship rocket, scheduled for June 6, 2024, pending final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)【5†source】【6†source】. The mission will test several new upgrades and improvements since previous flights.

The primary objectives of this fourth test flight included performing a landing burn and achieving a controlled splashdown of the superheavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as a controlled re-entry of the starship into the Indian Ocean. Source】. These targets are steps towards demonstrating the reusability of both the Starship and the Super Heavy booster.

Major hardware and software upgrades have been made to address issues from previous flights. This includes improvements to the filtration system in the oxygen tanks to prevent blockages and the addition of more roll control thrusters for better attitude control in flight【6†Source】. Starship will also use a hot staging adapter to reduce mass and increase the chances of a successful controlled landing【7†source】.

A live webcast of the launch will be available approximately 30 minutes prior to liftoff, with the launch window opening at 7 a.m. CT on June 6【5†source】.