SpaceX is preparing for another significant test of its Starship vehicle, an essential step for future human space exploration. This exciting launch will be open for public viewing, and it’s possible that President-elect Donald Trump may attend alongside SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

Last week, the massive 400-foot rocket was moved to the launch pad at SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica, located near Brownsville, Texas, as preparations for the anticipated flight on Tuesday were set in motion.

The Starship is crucial for NASA’s objectives regarding lunar exploration as the race to return to the moon intensifies globally. Under the Artemis program, NASA’s first lunar initiative since the Apollo missions of the 1970s, the agency has allocated $4 million to SpaceX to develop a spacecraft that can transport astronauts safely from orbit to the moon’s surface.

Musk also envisions the Starship serving as the vehicle for human colonization of Mars. He has mentioned his goal of launching the first Starships to Mars by late 2026, based on the next favorable alignment of the two planets, with manned missions possibly occurring in 2028.

In this sixth test, the Starship is expected to follow a flight path similar to previous missions over the Gulf of Mexico before landing for the third time in the Indian Ocean. For the booster, SpaceX aims to replicate its previous success in autonomously guiding it back to the landing pad, where it will be captured by two large mechanical arms.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming launch, including how to watch it.

What Time Will the Starship Launch Occur?

According to an announcement from SpaceX on social media platform X, the sixth flight test of the Starship could take place as early as Tuesday, November 19.

The launch window will span 30 minutes, starting at 5 p.m. EST, as stated by SpaceX.

Unlike previous tests that were conducted in the morning, SpaceX has adjusted this launch window to the late afternoon, citing “better conditions for visual observations,” according to the company.

Where to Watch the Starship Launch

SpaceX will provide a livestream of the flight test, starting about 30 minutes before liftoff.

The broadcast will be accessible on their official website, as well as on social media platform X. You can also find coverage on the new X TV app from SpaceX.

“As with all development tests, the schedule can change, so make sure to check our site and follow our X account for the latest updates,” SpaceX noted.

What Is SpaceX’s Starship?

SpaceX has dedicated years to the development and testing of the Starship, recognized as a super heavy-lift launch vehicle and hailed as the largest and most powerful rocket ever constructed.

The spacecraft consists of two primary parts: the 165-foot Starship itself and the 232-foot “Super Heavy” booster it stands upon. SpaceX envisions this rocket as a fully reusable transportation system capable of ferrying both humans and cargo to Earth’s orbit, the moon, and potentially Mars.

What Happened in Previous Starship Test Flights?

Since April

As of 2023, SpaceX’s Starship has completed five test flights.

The initial three tests ended with explosions; however, officials noted that each flight has shown significant improvements. The fourth and fifth tests, which took place in June and October, were successful as Starship successfully landed in the Indian Ocean.

A notable advancement was achieved during the latest flight test, where SpaceX mission controllers not only returned the rocket booster to the launchpad but also captured it in mid-air using two enormous mechanical arms referred to as “chopsticks.”