SpaceX to Attempt Starship SN15 Test Flight on Tuesday, May 4 [Update]

SpaceX appears to be set for a double-header tomorrow for rocket launches. The company’s Falcon 9 booster is set to launch 60 Starlink Satellites on Tuesday, while also on deck is a test flight attempt of the company’s Starship SN15 prototype.

On Tuesday, a marine safety information bulletin was issued, as SpaceX told the U.S. Coast Guard there would be a launch from its facility near Boca Chica Beach, south of Brownsville, Texas.

“During the hours of 11am through 9pm, May 4, 2021 through May 6, 2021, a hazard area will exist in the vicinity of the SpaceX facility,” reads the marine safety bulletin.

Back on March 30, SpaceX tested its Starship SN11 prototype for high altitude flight, which lifted off successfully, but ended in a fiery explosion amidst foggy weather.

With each Starship prototype test flight, SpaceX gains valuable data to build and improve upon its next versions.

Elon Musk said after the SN11 test, “SN15 rolls to launch pad in a few days. It has hundreds of design improvements across structures, avionics/software & engine,” adding, “hopefully, one of those improvements covers this problem. If not, then retrofit will add a few more days.”

Update May 4, 2021: The SN15 test flight has been scrubbed.