When is the launch of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 8 on March 3?

SpaceX is getting ready to launch its newest Starship megarocket next week. This launch will also test a method for catching the world’s largest rocket booster using giant metal arms, which resemble chopsticks. If you’re interested in watching this event live, here are the details on when and how to tune in.

The Starship Flight 8 launch is planned for Monday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. EST (2330 GMT). It will take place at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas, near Boca Chica Beach. This will be the eighth test flight for the Starship, and it’s important because it follows the destruction of the Flight 7 Starship due to a fire during its ascent in January.

You can catch the launch live on Space.com, where they will share SpaceX’s livestream. The streaming is expected to start about 40 minutes before the actual launch. Make sure to check back for any updates or changes to the schedule, as SpaceX has previously pushed back the launch date.

As a test flight, Starship Flight 8 seeks to replicate Flight 7’s objectives. The Starship system is the tallest and most powerful rocket we have today, reaching around 400 feet (122 meters). It has a Super Heavy booster with 33 Raptor engines, and is combined with a Ship upper stage powered by six more Raptor engines. The last time a Starship launched was on January 16, during Flight 7, which unfortunately ended with the vehicle being lost shortly after takeoff.

If you want to watch the launch online, there are several options available. SpaceX will be broadcasting it on its X social media account as well as on its dedicated Flight 8 webpage. The stream will begin around 5:50 p.m. EST (2250 GMT). You can also find coverage on YouTube or through other spaces like NASASpaceflight.com, which provides regular updates and live views from SpaceX’s operations in Starbase.

For those who are nearby or plan to travel to see the launch, there are great viewing spots available along South Padre Island and Port Isabel. These areas are popular among the public, although it’s important to plan ahead since there may be heavy traffic close to launch time.

The Flight 8 mission is expected to last about 66 minutes from launch to splashdown. The goal is to reach a suborbital trajectory similar to previous flights while achieving new milestones like Starship’s first payload deployment and a reentry experiment that tests returning the upper stage to the launch site for catching.

If all goes as planned, the Super Heavy booster is expected to land back at the Starbase around seven minutes after liftoff and will aim to be caught by SpaceX’s Mechazilla arms. However, if something doesn’t seem right during the process, the company can decide to direct the booster to splash down in a controlled manner in the Gulf of Mexico.

SpaceX has also set alternative dates for potential launches if they can’t proceed on March 3. These backup opportunities are available on March 4 and 5, and the company will need to consider the fueling requirements and necessary preparations before deciding to launch again. It could take several days to prepare the rocket with the fuel it needs for a successful lift-off.

Overall, this launch is generating excitement as SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space travel with its innovative technology.