SpaceX Unveils Starship V4 with 42 Raptor Engines, Citing “Inevitable” Prophecy from Hitchhiker’s Guide
Boca Chica, Texas – In a landmark announcement from SpaceX’s Starbase, Elon Musk has revealed plans for the Starship V4, a massive upgrade to the company’s next-generation spacecraft. The new Super Heavy booster will be equipped with a staggering 42 Raptor engines, a significant increase from the current 33-engine design.
The number 42 is a deliberate nod to Douglas Adams’ iconic science fiction novel, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” in which the number is humorously presented as the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.” Musk called the development “inevitable,” playfully suggesting the upgrade was a foretold prophecy.
The primary goal of the V4 upgrade is to dramatically increase thrust and payload capacity, which is critical for achieving Musk’s long-term vision of establishing a human colony on Mars. The additional engines are intended to provide the necessary power to transport larger amounts of cargo and personnel on interplanetary missions.
SpaceX is targeting a 2027 launch for the enhanced Starship configuration. The company continues to conduct rigorous tests to improve the vehicle’s reliability following previous prototype flights.
This announcement, summarized from posts on Musk’s X platform, highlights the evolving and ambitious nature of SpaceX’s plans to make humanity a multi-planetary species.
