SPACEX CALLS FOR EVACUATION OF AREA PRIOR TO NEXT STARSHIP TEST
Before another major Starship SpaceX test, the space company issued an evacuation order to local residents of Boca Chica Village in Texas.
The Alert notice to all residents warned that space flight activities would happen on 21 April between 12pm and 8pm. However, the starship has not yet seen liftoff as the SN15 has undergone some initial testing.
Musk also initially tweeted that the aim was to launch last week, but that target continued to slip. Wednesday is the soonest we'll see it fly. A vital static test fire is planned for Monday. If that goes well and the FAA issues a launch license, we'll be on the way to a flight attempt shortly afterwards.
The Starship SN15 prototype is expected to perform a high-altitude launch from SpaceX's Starbase complex in Boca Chica.
The letter stated that "There is a risk that a malfunction of the SpaceX vehicle during these activities will create an overpressure event that can break windows".
"Therefore, in order to protect Public Health and Safety, it is recommended that you consider temporarily vacating yourself, other occupants, and pets from the area."
The letter included, "At a minimum, you must exit your home or structure and be outside of any building on your property when you hear the police sirens. These will be activated at the time of the space flight activity to avoid or minimise the risk of injury."
Numerous variables need to line up at the same time before we can expect the spaceship to launch. These include approval from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), local road closures, technical preparations and favourable weather conditions.
Cameron County did, however, issue a temporary closure of public roads surrounding SpaceX's Boca Chica base.
When Starship SN15 takes off, it will be the fifth prototype of the next-generation spacecraft to attempt a high-altitude flight test. However, it is unclear if it will successfully land. Only one of the four prototypes, the SN10, successfully landed without exploding immediately. It did, however, explode only a couple of minutes after landing.
The Starship SN15 has already been rolled out to the launchpad. Fans can view the blast-off via a live stream of the launch to be broadcast on SpaceX's official YouTube channel and Twitter account.