If things go as planned the upper stage will enter orbit but not complete a full revolution of the Earth.
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), which launched on November 16, as part of the Artemis 1 mission, is currently the most powerful rocket in the world. But when it enters low orbit space, Starship will take the title.
In comparison, the SLS blasts 8.8 million pounds of thrust. And the twice as powerful Starship is expected to be pushed by 16.7 million pounds of thrust.
Elon Musk envisions Starship as the new generation rocket to launch people, supplies, and satellites into space. And with Starship, the Moon and Mars are closer than before.
In the middle of November, NASA awarded SpaceX a contract modification known as Option B. NASA will pay 1.15 billion to have the Starship prototype re-built as the second lunar lander.
