Musk Brags: Test For Mars-Bound "Starship" Next Month

Elon Musk has announced that SpaceX is almost ready for the maiden flight of Starship, the massive rocket at the center of his quest for the conquest of Mars and, perhaps, the entire universe, Luc Olinga reported for The Street.

Photo Insert: The main stage -- that is, the booster needed to launch the Starship -- is called "Super Heavy."

"SpaceX will be ready to launch Starship in a few weeks," Musk said on March 17. He added that the exact timing of the launch depends on the Federal Aviation Administration (FDA) approving a license. FDA had given Musk 75 comments on his Starship plan.

"Assuming that takes a few weeks, first launch attempt will be near end of third week of April, aka …" Musk said.

Too ambitious, mad, unrealistic: Such are the reactions that accompanied this promise. The billionaire CEO of Tesla, known for his whimsical side, continues to hammer away at the idea that it is possible.

The orbital launch of Starship is supposed to represent a great leap forward for humanity by offering a super-heavy machine capable of reaching the moon, then Mars, while carrying tons of cargo.

Starship refers to the space-transport vehicle and the upper stage of the launcher. The main stage -- that is, the booster needed to launch the Starship -- is called "Super Heavy."

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