In just a week following the successful third test flight of SpaceX's Starship, the company is already preparing for its next mission. Starship, standing at an impressive 400 feet tall (122 meters), embarked on its third-ever flight on March 14. The test mission, which launched from SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas, achieved significant milestones and showcased the capabilities of this massive, fully reusable two-stage vehicle.

One notable accomplishment of the mission was the upper stage, known as Starship or Ship, reaching orbital velocity and remaining in flight for approximately 50 minutes. However, during its reentry into Earth's atmosphere, the Ship broke apart. On the other hand, the first stage booster, named Super Heavy, successfully executed its boostback burn. Although Super Heavy did not splash down as planned in the Gulf of Mexico, it broke apart at an altitude of about 1,650 feet (500 m) above the waves.

While SpaceX continues to analyze data from the third test flight, the company is already looking ahead to the fourth mission. The Ship for the upcoming flight has been moved to the launch pad at Starbase for prelaunch static fires. These static fires involve brief engine firings while the vehicle is anchored to the launch pad. If the necessary tests go well and the Federal Aviation Administration grants a launch license in time, SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell stated that Starship could take flight again as early as May.

In a recent post on its official X page, SpaceX shared images of the Ship at the launch pad, as well as additional photos showing multiple Ships partially obscured by heavy fog at Starbase. The company has ambitious plans for the Starship program and intends to conduct at least six test flights this year, as confirmed by SpaceX's founder and CEO, Elon Musk.

In the meantime, for space enthusiasts who are unable to witness the Starship in person, there is an exciting opportunity to own a model of the spacecraft. Available on Amazon, the SpaceX Starship Die Cast Rocket Model is a 1:375 scale replica standing at 13.77 inches (35 cm) tall. Made of alloy steel and weighing just 225g, this desktop model is a detailed representation of SpaceX's groundbreaking rocket.

As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the anticipation for the fourth Starship test flight grows. With each successful mission, the company moves closer to its goal of establishing a reliable and reusable system for future space travel and colonization.