Space X is targeting to launch its next Starship rocket at the Starbase facilities in southern Texas by June 5, only months after Flight 3 launched last March.
The space agency also shared an outline of their learnings from Flight 3, the mission objectives of Flight 4, and the differences between the two missions.
SpaceX to Launch Starship Flight 4 on June 5
In a statement, the agency revealed that Flight 4 will shift the focus from achieving orbit to demonstrating the ability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy. It will also not include any additional flight items that were present during Flight 3.
"The primary objectives will be executing a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico with the Super Heavy booster, and achieving a controlled entry of Starship," SpaceX announced.
While SpaceX plans to launch Flight 4 on June 5, the agency clarified that they have yet to receive the regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The scheduled launch might still change but it will be the earliest possible date for now.
SpaceX Reports Lessons From Flight 3
In a blog post, SpaceX detailed some learnings from Flight 3, including the successful and lacking parts of the mission. One of the successes includes the completion of the propellant transfer demonstration which could be used by returning astronauts under the NASA Artemis program.
Flight 3 also experienced a successful ascent of the rocket through stage separation, a consistent feat from Flight 2. However, the recent flight had an early shutdown of six Raptor engines during the boost backburn.
SpaceX shared that they are working on more hardware improvements concerning the oxygen tanks. Flight 4 also aims to show further improvement in the propellant filtration capabilities.
The space agency completed the launch rehearsal for Flight 4 last May 21.
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