Elon Musk discusses future of SpaceX's Starship system
SpaceX will attempt to launch and land the Starship Serial Number 9 (SN10) just weeks after crashing the previous iteration, SN9. SpaceX chief Elon Musk is looking to send humans to Mars and Starship is his ticket to the Red Planet. But the spacecraft still has a long way to go before orbital flight - let alone interplanetary flight - is an option.
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SpaceX has so far only launched two Starship prototypes on high-altitude test flights, both of which ended up in flames.
The Starship SN8 first crashed into the launch pad at Boca Chica, South Texas, after soaring to an altitude of 7.8 miles (12.5km).
The SN9 followed suit just two months later, acing its 6.2 miles (10km) hop but failing to stick the landing.
But not all hope is lost and despite both rockets being blown to smithereens, Mr Musk is confident Starship is on the right development track.
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The South African billionaire appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast this month where he explained Starship is being developed at an unprecedented pace.
Each prototype is virtually expendable and it would have been surprising to see any of them touch down in one piece.
Mr Musk went on to say Starship will reach orbit before the year is out and should become fully operational by 2023.
SpaceX fans are, therefore, hopeful SN10 will be the first prototype to nail the landing.
One person tweeted: "Can't wait to see SN10 fly. Hopefully land well. I love SpaceX."
SpaceX Starship explodes on landing during a test
What time will Starship SN10 launch from Boca Chica?
SpaceX has not confirmed a launch date for the SN10 and the test flight has hit a stumbling block this week.