Watch: SpaceX Conducts Starhopper's Final Test Launch in Texas - Geek

SpaceX’s Starhopper, a prototype for the Mars-bound Starship spacecraft, is expected to launch for a final time from Boca Chica, Texas, today and you can watch the hop event live online.

According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the Starhopper is scheduled to launch between 5 p.m. CDT and 5:15 p.m. CDT (6 p.m. EDT to 6:15 p.m. EDT). If the test goes well, the Starhopper will travel roughly 492 feet in the air, Popular Mechanics reported. Everyday Astronaut’s YouTube channel is livestreaming the launch and starting coverage approximately two hours before lift-off time.

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Last week, SpaceX postponed the Starhopper’s flight test because the company still needed approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). On August 24, Musk tweeted an update on the Starhopper’s big “hop,” and said the test could take place as soon as today.

Good conversation with head of FAA Space. Need a bit more hazard analysis & should be clear to fly soon.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 15, 2019

Looks like @SpaceX Starhopper flight may be as soon as Monday. FAA support is much appreciated!

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 24, 2019

Starhopper flight currently tracking to 5pm Texas time for 150m / ~500ft hover test

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 26, 2019

Ahead of the scheduled test, Cameron County issued a public notice that said Boca Chica Beach and State Highway 4 will be temporarily closed from 2 p.m. CDT to 12 a.m. CDT (3 p.m. EST to 1 a.m. EST) on August 26, August 27, and August 28.

Drone cam pic.twitter.com/gVdMrMgUZq

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 26, 2019

SpaceX’s Starhopper took its first untethered hop test in Boca Chica, Texas, on July 25. For the test, the Starhopper lit up its single Raptor engine and completed a straight “leap” 65 feet up and down at the site. Before this big test, the Starhopper completed two short tethered hops in April.

Just left Starship Texas build site. Very proud of progress SpaceX team has made! Pics are of 9m dome rotation & Starship airframe behind windbreak. pic.twitter.com/1cmOzkPlkn

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2019

The spaceflight company is also working on two orbital Starship prototypes, Mk1 and Mk2, which are designed to reach orbit.

SpaceX’s Starship and Super Heavy rocket could be ready to go to space as early as 2021 if all testing is completed within the next two years.

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