SpaceX plans to carry out a demonstration for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the third test flight of its Starship rocket, the agency told CNBC.
NASA told the media outlet that the next Starship flight is set to include a “propellant transfer demonstration.”
On November 18, 2023, Starship’s second test launch saw the rocket successfully achieve liftoff and reach the edge of space before exploding as “the booster experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly” following its separation from the rocket.
For the company to carry out the propellant transfer demonstration, the rocket would need to reach orbit, CNBC highlighted.
Should SpaceX successfully carry out the demonstration, this would be a new milestone achievement for Starship.
“NASA and SpaceX are reviewing options for the demonstration to take place during an integrated flight test of Starship and the Super Heavy rocket,” NASA spokesperson Jimi Russell said in a statement provided to CNBC. “However, no final decisions on timing have been made.”
SpaceX did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment but the private space company’s CEO Elon Musk said in a post on social media platform X on November 19, 2023, that the company was already preparing for its third Starship test to take place as early as December.
Contact the author at emily.jarvie@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @emilyjjarvie