SpaceX prepares for a massive test this week: Firing all 33 Starship engines at once

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., also known as SpaceX, is gearing up for a crucial test on its starship rocket this week, which aims to determine its 33 engines’ reliability and ability to function in unison. This test is a critical step in the development of the spacecraft as SpaceX endeavors to become the first privately developed rocket to reach orbit. 

SpaceX prepares for a massive test this week: Firing all 33 Starship engines at once

Meanwhile, entrepreneur Dennis Tito and his wife Akiko have purchased seats on a private trip with the SpaceX starship rocket, making them the third spaceflight announced by Elon Musk’s company and the first married couple to fly around the moon.

Tito, who has been interested in space travel since his first trip to space, expressed his excitement about the upcoming mission, stating: “I have been interested in space travel since my first trip to space, and this opportunity with SpaceX is just amazing. The chance to fly around the moon with my wife, Akiko, is something I never thought possible in my lifetime.” He said, “I have complete faith in SpaceX and their mission to make space accessible for everyone. 

Their advancements in the industry are truly remarkable, and I am honored to be a part of their journey.”

The exact timing for the mission is yet to be determined, as SpaceX has multiple challenges to overcome, including reaching orbit with a starship prototype, fulfilling its NASA astronaut moon mission contract, and rapidly deploying Starlink satellites. 

Despite these challenges, Aarti Matthews, the director of starship crew and cargo programs at SpaceX, believes that the mission is groundbreaking, as it puts the company on a “very firm step towards airline-like operations, where now, for the first time, you can buy an individual seat to the moon.”

As SpaceX prepares for this week’s test, the company and its supporters eagerly await the outcome, as the engines’ success will lay the foundation for future missions. The excitement is palpable as SpaceX moves closer to its goal of making space travel accessible to all.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristina Knight-1
Kristina Knight, Journalist , BA
Content Writer & Editor
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Kristina Knight is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience writing on varied topics. Kristina’s focus for the past 10 years has been the small business, online marketing, and banking sectors, however, she keeps things interesting by writing about her experiences as an adoptive mom, parenting, and education issues. Kristina’s work has appeared with BizReport.com, NBC News, Soaps.com, DisasterNewsNetwork, and many more publications.