SpaceX is preparing for the first full-scale orbital mission of the Starship rocket, scheduled to take place in approximately one week. According to Elon Musk, this flight marks a transition from testing the vehicle's return capabilities to operational deployment.
The mission payload consists of 26 Starlink V3 satellites, which feature increased bandwidth. The launch process is currently underway at the Starbase facility, where the Booster 21 stage has already been moved to the launch pad for final pre-flight testing.
During the mission, the spacecraft is expected to complete six orbits around the Earth. The total duration of the flight is estimated at approximately 10 hours, serving as a significant endurance test for the ship's onboard systems.
SpaceX intends to perform an in-space engine restart for the first time during this flight. Following the deployment of the satellites, the Starship vehicle will execute a deorbit maneuver to conclude the mission.
