LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX is preparing to launch the seventh flight test of its giant Starship rocket, the company said on Friday.

The upcoming flight test will launch a new generation ship with significant upgrades, attempt Starship's first payload deployment test, fly multiple reentry experiments geared toward ship catch and reuse, and launch and return the Super Heavy booster.

A block of planned upgrades to the Starship upper stage will debut on this flight test, bringing major improvements to reliability and performance, according to SpaceX.

SpaceX has redesigned the rocket's propulsion system, including a 25 percent increase in propellant volume, the vacuum jacketing of feedlines, a new fuel feedline system for the vehicle's Raptor vacuum engines, and an improved propulsion avionics module controlling vehicle valves and reading sensors.

Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators while in space, according to SpaceX.

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, collectively referred to as Starship, represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the moon, Mars and beyond.

Starship plays a key role in NASA. It is the vehicle that NASA selected to carry astronauts on the final leg of their trip to the moon during a mission called Artemis III, currently planned for 2026. Enditem

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