SpaceX test fired a new Mars rocket booster on Sunday in efforts to get the Starship system ready for another orbital test flight.
Starship, which consists of a booster and spacecraft, is being developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX. The businessman says the aim is to one day take humans to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
But the rocket has to complete a test flight to orbit before SpaceX can begin any kind of operations.
In April, Starship blew up mid-flight during the first orbital test flight, causing chunks of the rocket to tumble back to Earth after the launch from Texas.
Now, a new rocket, called Booster 9, has been test fired at Starbase, a facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
SpaceX shared footage of the static fire test – which involves firing the engines of the rocket and carrying out a countdown to mock a launch – on social media.
During the test, four of the rocket's Raptor engines shut down prematurely.
The first orbital test flight did not go as planned owing to a technical issue.
Starship had reached a peak altitude of 39km over the Gulf of Mexico when the mishap took place.
At the time, the company said that engineers had got “plenty of data” to try again. On the ground, SpaceX crew cheered the launch.
The cost of a single Starship has never been revealed, but Mr Musk said the broader project cost at least $3 billion.
According to SpaceX, Starship is the most powerful launch vehicle developed, capable of producing 3,991 tonnes of thrust – 15 per cent more than Nasa’s Apollo Moon rocket, Saturn V.
SpaceX is contracted by Nasa to develop the Starship Human Landing System, which is aimed to help astronauts land on the Moon under the US space agency’s Artemis programme.
Mr Musk has already sold seats on the Starship, including to Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, who plans on flying on the first crewed flight to the Moon, taking eight artists with him as part of his dearMoon programme.
American billionaire Jared Isaacman is also working with SpaceX through his Polaris programme, a series of privately-led space missions.
Mr Isaacman will serve as commander on the Polaris III mission – the first crewed orbital flight on the Starship rocket.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
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BABYLON
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Fixtures
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
