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Update: January 15, 1:14 p.m. ET : Bad weather has forced a scrub of today's launch. SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, January 16, with the 60-minute launch window opening at 5:00 p.m. ET.
SpaceX is gearing up for a Starship launch unlike any other. On its seventh launch from the Texas site, the rocket will attempt to deploy Starlink simulators and test significant hardware upgrades.
For its seventh flight, Starship will feature a smaller forward flap that's located higher up on the rocket to reduce heating during its reentry. The rocket's propulsion system was also upgraded to hold 25% more fuel, along with improved avionics for better valve control and sensor readings, boosting performance and enabling longer missions, according to SpaceX.
Starship's heat shield will use new, upgraded tiles, with a backup layer underneath in case any of the tiles fall off or sustain damage during reentry. SpaceX also redesigned Starship's avionics to include a "more powerful flight computer," and integrated antennas to combine Starlink, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and backup radio frequency communication functions into each unit.
SpaceX's future rocket is a two-stage, reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to carry crew and cargo to orbit, the Moon, and possibly even Mars. The company has big plans for its Starship rocket this year, hoping for as many as 25 launches in 2025 . That's great for spaceflight, but it could mean bad news for the launch site's surrounding area as the rocket produces sonic booms that are approximately 10 times louder than SpaceX's Falcon 9.
The heavy-lift launch vehicle is scheduled for liftoff early Sunday morning for its long-anticipated debut.
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