SpaceX’s future deep-space rocket passes key test, paving the way for short flight

SpaceX’s fourth Starship prototype prior to cryogenic proof testing. | Photo by Elon Musk

This weekend, SpaceX successfully passed a big milestone in the development of its next-generation deep-space rocket called Starship, which is designed to one day send cargo and people to the Moon and Mars. Overnight on Sunday, a prototype of the rocket underwent a super cold pressure test in Texas and remained intact on the test stand, paving the way for this particular vehicle to fly to a low altitude in the upcoming weeks.

this same test has destroyed other Starship prototypes in the past

Passing this test is a major step for SpaceX since this same test has destroyed other Starship prototypes in the past. Known as a cryogenic proof test, it entails filling the vehicle with incredibly cold liquid nitrogen to see if the vehicle can...

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