by SpaceX will launch its next Starship megarocket test flight early Thursday morning, June 6, and if you’re hoping to watch it live, you’ll know when and where to tune in. And for that, space fans, we have what you need.
SpaceX is focusing on 8 am EDT (1200 GMT) launched its Starship Flight 4 test flight of the Starship and Super Heavy megarocket from the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas. While that time may change slightly before launch, it’s a great goal to time your watch partner.
SpaceX will provide a free live webcast of the launch of Starship Flight 4 starting approx 7:30 am EDT (1130 GMT). You can watch the live stream here at Space.com, courtesy of SpaceX. Here’s a look at exactly when and how to watch the next Starship launch.
What time is Starship Flight 4 launched by SpaceX?
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Currently, SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4 is scheduled to launch at 8 am EDT (1200 GMT), or 7 am CDT from the company’s Starbase test site near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas. However, SpaceX has a 120-minute window to launch the Flight 4 mission, so Starship could take off anytime between 8 a.m. and 10 am EDT (1400 GMT).
“As with all developmental tests, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates,” SpaceX wrote in the mission description.
Starship and its Super Heavy booster are the most powerful rocket in the world. When stacked together, they stand nearly 400 feet (122 meters) tall, with the first stage powered by 33 Raptor engines and the upper Starship stage by six Pisces.
The Starship launch system is designed to be fully reusable and fly to deep-space destinations such as the moon, Mars or beyond, SpaceX said. NASA has chosen Starship to land its Artemis 3 astronauts on the moon in late 2026. But before Starship can land on the moon, it must reach space and prove it can safely re-enter. That’s what Flight 4 is all about.
“The fourth flight test changes our focus from achieving orbit to the ability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy,” SpaceX said in the mission description. SpaceX has launched three test flights, so far, and the first two failed to reach space. Starship Flight 3 reached space, but both the Starship and Super Heavy stages broke on their way back to Earth.
Related: See our SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy guide for a detailed look
Can I watch the launch of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4?
Yes, you’ll be able to watch SpaceX’s Starship Flight 4 launch online, and you’ll have your choice of where to watch it.
The first and most obvious place to watch the launch will be on SpaceX’s X account (formerly Twitter), starting 30 minutes before liftoff – so about 7:30 am EDT (1130 GMT).
Space.com will broadcast the SpaceX live stream on our own VideoFromSpace YouTube channel, as well as on our home page and at the top of this page.
If you want to check the status of SpaceX Flight 4 BEFORE the SpaceX live stream, consider tuning into the NASASpaceflight.com YouTube channel, which offers live views of SpaceX’s Starship, Starbase pads and other locations, and will likely offer live commentary with during the fueling process. .
If you happen to be in or near the Boca Chica, Texas area and are hoping to watch the Starship launch in person, you have a few places to choose from.
SpaceX does not have an official viewing site, but you can visit some public beaches to watch the launch. Nearby South Padre Island offers clear views of the rocket from the shore near the Cameron County Amphitheater and Isla Blanca Park. You can also find similar beachside viewing spots on the shores of nearby Port Isabel.
I actually watched the launch of Starship Flight 1 in April 2023 from the Cameron County Amphitheater on South Padre Island, and I can assure you that it offers unobstructed views (except for a few boats in the harbor) for spectators on the beach. (There is a public restroom, always a plus.) You will want to bring a folding chair, water, sunscreen and other supplies. Traffic can be heavy to and from the site, so factor that into your travel planning.
How long is SpaceX’s Starship 4 flight?
SpaceX’s Starship 4 flight is expected to last just over an hour, if all goes as planned.
Flight 4 is a similar path to SpaceX’s Starship Flight 3 launch on March 14, which focused on a 65-minute mission from launch to a Starship splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
“This flight path does not require a deorbit burn for reentry, maximizing public safety while providing the opportunity to fulfill our primary objective of controlled Starship reentry,” SpaceX wrote in its mission description.
Meanwhile the Super Heavy booster is expected to fly for nearly 7 minutes, with a scheduled landing burn for 6 minutes, 43 seconds after liftoff. SpaceX hopes to make a controlled “landing” and soft splash in the Gulf of Mexico, a mile offshore from Boca Chica Beach.
What if Starship can’t launch on Thursday?
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If SpaceX is unable to launch Starship Flight 4 on June 6, the company will likely have at least one backup day (if not more) to fall back on.
Officials with Cameron County, the region of South Texas that includes SpaceX’s Starbase facility, have listed June 7 and June 8 as backup days, according to a beach closure advisory. Those closures will last from 12 am to 2 pm local time, or approximately 1 am to 3 pm EDT, on both days.
Of course,any backup launch attempt would depend on how far SpaceX gets into the Starship and Super Heavy fueling process. In the past, SpaceX has said it takes several days to restock the more than 10 million pounds of supercooled liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellant needed for a launch.
If a technical issue delays the launch of Starship Flight 4, SpaceX would likely have to wait until it is resolved to try again.
