--- title: "Elon Musk: Starship Orbital Launch Could Happen “Next Month” Despite Unexpected Explosion" description: "While SpaceX is still assessing the damage to its Super Heavy booster prototype , SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is confident Starship could go orbital \"next month.\"" date: "2022-07-13" modified: "2022-07-13" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-starship-orbital-flight-next-month-explosion" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "Space" - "SpaceX" - "Starship" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "elon musk" - "SpaceX" - "Starship" - "the digest" --- # Elon Musk: Starship Orbital Launch Could Happen “Next Month” Despite Unexpected Explosion ![While SpaceX is still assessing the damage to its Super Heavy booster prototype , SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is confident Starship could go orbital "next month."]() *\Image: NASASpaceflight\* ## Assessing Damage SpaceX wasn't expecting to have its Booster 7 rocket prototype [go up in flames]() this week. And while the company is still [assessing the damage]() to the prototype and the company's massive launch pad and tower, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is expressing confidence that the inaugural orbital flight of Starship could still happen in a matter of weeks. "If testing goes well, as soon as next month," Musk [said]() when asked when the orbital test launch will take place. ## Not Good But we're not holding our breath. After all, the CEO has been promising the same thing since [at least October]() of last year. Fortunately, much has changed since then. This time around, SpaceX is working towards the launch with regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration in hand, a certification that also came with [75 environmental conditions]() it has to meet. Monday's explosion shocked onlookers, who saw the massive rocket stage burst into flames in a fraction of a second, accompanied by a percussive blast. While Musk appeared to confirm the explosion was to be expected soon aftward, he later [changed his tune](), [saying]() "yeah, actually not good." ## Visual Aid Later that evening, Musk [confirmed]() that the "base of the vehicle seems ok by flashlight." Tuesday evening, Musk returned to the booster propulsion section. "Damage appears to be minor, but we need to inspect all the engines," he [tweeted](), a process that will likely take a while. Musk also indicated that Booster 7 will eventually make its way to the company's High Bay, a massive assembly hall used to put together the various parts of the spacecraft and its booster**,** [telling *Reuters*]() it will be "returning to the launch stand probably next week." Given Musk's ever-optimistic and [overly ambitious promises](), it's not exactly looking likely we will see Starship go orbital next month — but we're certainly excited for when the day does finally come. **More on the incident:** *[Close Up Photo Shows SpaceX Starship Booster After Explosion]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()