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Elon Musk on SpaceX's upcoming Starship launches: 'More than 24 times a day'

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Elon Musk recently suggested that SpaceX 's Starship program’s goal is being reframed. In a post shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the CEO of the rocket company hinted that the company is now focused on increasing high-volume production and going for more rapid launches, like regular flights. The CEO's latest comments emphasise that the next-generation Starship, a fully reusable, heavy-lift system, is being designed for quicker launches and a higher number of flights. In his post, Musk wrote: “Yes. In about 6 or 7 years, there will be days where Starship launches more than 24 times in 24 hours.”

It all started last week when SpaceX moved Starship to the pad at Starbase for its tenth flight test. Soon after, SpaceX showcased its rapid launch capabilities and reusable rocket technology after it achieved the milestone of completing three Starship launches in just 51 hours.

Subsequently, Kiko Dontchev, VP of launches at SpaceX, replied to the company post and wrote: "I hope everyone enjoyed the three Falcon launches in 51 hours.”

Responding to this, Yun-Ta Tsai, a senior staff manager at Tesla, wrote: “3 launches 🚀 in 51 hours — getting closer to the airline cadence ✈️.”


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Musk’s reply came in response to these comments. Earlier this week, the tenth Starship test flight successfully deployed its payloads. Later on, it made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant step toward achieving airline-style launch frequency and potentially transforming interplanetary travel .


How Elon Musk’s prediction may become reality


SpaceX’s plan for Starship builds on its usual approach of testing often, reusing parts, and controlling much of the work in-house. The rocket’s design, which utilises stainless steel, methane fuel, heat shields, and a specialised launch tower, is intended to reduce turnaround time and enable more frequent flights.

Experience with reusable boosters, satellites, and fast production lines also shapes this strategy. Instead of treating rockets as single-use machines, SpaceX aims to run them like a fleet that can launch regularly, even setting goals in terms of “launches per day.”

Such frequency could accelerate Starlink deployments, support interplanetary missions, and align with his broader aim of Mars colonisation . However, achieving this pace requires solving significant challenges, including orbital refuelling, crew readiness, heat shield durability, and regulatory hurdles.

Critics caution that unforeseen setbacks may occur, although recent rapid launches demonstrate progress. If successful, the approach could lower costs, reshape space economics, and significantly alter timelines for commercial and scientific space exploration.




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