Elon Musk is preparing to launch SpaceX’s Starship into orbit for the first time

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship spacecraft on an orbital test flight, according to tweets from Elon MuskThe private space company hopes that the Starship represents the future of its missions to space, taking humanity to the Moon and beyond.

But first it must undergo a series of tests to ensure it is safe to launch and carry people. SpaceX has built a number of versions of the Starship – all the way up to SN15 – but those have only attempted high-altitude test flights, to altitudes roughly similar to a traditional plane.

SpaceX is preparing to jump all the way to SN20, however, with a launch that will see it launched high enough that it could go into orbit. Such a launch is expected any time from this month.