This article has been updated with a change in the launch date. SpaceX is now targeting no earlier than June 23 for this rocket launch.
SpaceX is preparing to launch its mysterious Starfall capsules atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on Tuesday, June 23, the company’s entry into a market that gives businesses an opportunity for in-space manufacturing in microgravity.
SpaceX has so far stayed silent on this project. But a final Federal Aviation Administration Environmental Assessment released in May reveals that the Starfall capsules are small and disk-shaped, measuring 0.75 meters tall – or approximately 2.5 feet. They will orbit Earth and re-enter under parachute in the Pacific Ocean.
Starfall will be SpaceX’s entry into manufacturing in space, the capsules providing access to the microgravity and vacuum environment, according to the FAA environmental review. Multiple small companies, such as Varda Space Industries and Atmos Space Cargo, have already launched similar capsules carrying experiments.
Starfall also could serve as an additional successor to science done on the International Space Station – meaning it would continue to further pharmaceutical and material research and development in the space environment after the ISS is deorbited.
SpaceX also plans to utilize Starfall for rapid point-to-point cargo transport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration document, but there weren’t additional details.
SpaceX has confirmed the liftoff is set for no earlier than 6:43 a.m. June 21 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. If needed, SpaceX has until 7:43 a.m. to make the launch window.
No Brevard County sonic booms will be heard as rocket’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live updates 90 minutes prior to liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX to launch mysterious Starfall capsule on demo mission Tuesday from Florida
Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today
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By Brooke Edwards, Florida Today | USA TODAY Network
