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In addition to the timeline, Musk disclosed plans to "hot stage" the upcoming Starship test flight. This involves firing the upper stage engines before the separation from the lower stage—a maneuver never before attempted by SpaceX. Such tests are crucial to validate the rocket’s performance and ensure reliability for future missions. If successful, this could signal a new era of more complex and ambitious space launches, paving the way for crewed missions and eventually, human settlement on Mars.