Update for 10 am ET: SpaceX has successfully launched its Starship Flight 4 test flight of Starship and Super Heavy, the world's largest and most powerful rocket. See amazing video and photos of the launch and splashdown in our wrap story.
SpaceX will launch its next Starship megarocket test flight early in the morning on Thursday, June 6, and if you're hoping to watch it live, you'll need to know when and where to tune in. And for that, dear space fans, we've got what you need.
SpaceX is targeting an 8:50 a.m. EDT (1250 GMT) launch for 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 could change a bit ahead of launch, it's a great target to time your watch party.
SpaceX will offer a free live webcast of the Starship Flight 4 launch beginning at about 8:20 a.m. EDT (1220 GMT). You can watch the livestream here at Space.com, courtesy of SpaceX. Here's a look at exactly when and how to watch Starship's next launch.
What time is SpaceX's Starship Flight 4 launch?
Currently, SpaceX's Starship Flight 4 is scheduled to launch at 8:50 a.m. EDT (1250 GMT), or 7:50 a.m. CDT from the company's Starbase test site near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas. However, SpaceX has a 120-minute window in which to launch the Flight 4 mission, so Starship could lift off anytime between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT).
"As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates," SpaceX wrote in a mission description.
Starship and its Super Heavy booster are the world's most powerful rocket. When stacked together, they stand nearly 400 feet tall (122 meters) tall, with the first stage powered by 33 Raptor engines and the Starship upper stage by six Raptors.
The Starship launch system is designed to be fully reusable and fly to deep-space destinations like the moon, Mars or beyond, SpaceX has said. NASA has picked Starship to land its Artemis 3 astronauts on the moon in late 2026. But before Starship can land on the moon, it has to reach space and prove it can reenter safely. That's what Flight 4 is about.
"The fourth flight test turns our focus from achieving orbit to demonstrating the ability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy," SpaceX said in the mission description. SpaceX has launched three test flights, so far, with the first two failing to reach space. Starship Flight 3 reached space, but both the Starship and Super Heavy stages broke apart while coming back to Earth.
Related: See our SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy guide for a detailed look
Can I watch the SpaceX's Starship Flight 4 launch?
Yes, you will be able to watch SpaceX's Starship Flight 4 launch online, and you'll have your pick on where to watch.
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, at about 8:20 a.m. EDT (1220 GMT).
Space.com will carry SpaceX's livestream live on our own VideoFromSpace YouTube channel, as well as on our homepage and at the top of this page.
If you're looking to check on SpaceX's Flight 4 status BEFORE SpaceX's livestream, consider tuning into to NASASpaceflight.com's YouTube channel, which offers live views of SpaceX's Starship, Starbase pads and other locations, and will likely offer live commentary during the fueling process.
If you happen to be in or near the Boca Chica, Texas area and are hoping to watch Starship launch in person, you have several locations you can choose from.
SpaceX does not have an official viewing site, but you can visit several public beaches to see the launch. The nearby South Padre Island offers clear views of the rocket from the shoreline near the Cameron County Amphitheater and Isla Blanca Park. You can also find similar beachfront viewing spots along the nearby shore of Port Isabel.
I actually watched Starship Flight 1's launch in April 2023 from South Padre Island's Cameron County Amphitheater, and I can assure you that it offers unobstructed views (aside from some boats in the harbor) to spectators on the beach. (There is also a public restroom, always a plus.) You'll want to bring a folding chair, water, sunscreen and other supplies. Traffic can be heavy to and from the site, so consider that in your travel planning.
How long is SpaceX's Starship Flight 4?
SpaceX's Starship Flight 4 is expected to last just over one hour, if all goes according to plan.
Flight 4 will fly a similar trajectory to SpaceX's Starship Flight 3 launch on March 14, which aimed for a 65-minute mission from launch to Starship splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
"This flight path does not require a deorbit burn for reentry, maximizing public safety while still providing the opportunity to meet our primary objective of a controlled Starship reentry," SpaceX wrote in its mission description.
The Super Heavy booster, meanwhile, is expected to fly for nearly 7 minutes, with a landing burn scheduled for 6 minutes, 43 seconds after liftoff. SpaceX hopes it will make a controlled "landing" and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, miles offshore of Boca Chica Beach.
What if Starship can't launch on Thursday?
If SpaceX is unable to launch Starship Flight 4 on June 6, it's likely that the company has at least one (if not more) backup days 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 to the public. Those closures run from 12 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, or about 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT, on both days.
Of course, any backup launch attempt would depend on how far SpaceX goes 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 super-cold liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellant needed for launch.
If a technical issue delays the launch of Starship Flight 4, then SpaceX would likely have to wait until it is solved to try again.
