Elon Musk said that SpaceX's ocean spaceport, called Deimos, is under construction and could begin launch operations next year.
Musk tweeted about the offshore launch platform, which is part of the forthcoming Starship rocket system, on Sunday in response to a rendered image shared by a fan.
The platform is intended to be used as a launch and landing platform for the SpaceX Starship, a spacecraft that Musk intends to send to Mars. SpaceX purchased two oil rigs off the coast of Texas earlier this year to serve as "floating" launchpads for the Starship. The platforms have been named Deimos and Phobos, after Mars' moons.
Ocean spaceport Deimos is under construction for launch next year https://t.co/WJQka399c7
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 30, 2021
The latest prototype of the Starship made a safe ascent and landing earlier this month. The reusable vehicle could be a "game-changer for space travel," the BBC reported.
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: How racism contributed to marijuana prohibition in the US