Space

SpaceX to Launch Starship Test Flight With Dummy Satellites

Giant rocket central to Elon Musk’s Mars exploration ambitions
Launch delayed to Thursday due to weather conditions

The SpaceX Starship rocket on Jan. 14.Photographer: Sergio Flores/AFP/Getty Images

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By Sana Pashankar and Loren Grush

January 15, 2025 at 1:30 PM UTC

Updated on

January 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket is slated to launch for the seventh time on Thursday in a crucial test of its ability to carry and place satellites into orbit.

The company had planned on launching on Wednesday but announced a 24-hour delay due to weather conditions.