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development of the fully reusable spaceflight system by expanding the performance capabilities of both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. The fifth test flight marked a major milestone in SpaceX's iterative approach. In that mission, the Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch site and was caught by the "chopstick" arms of the launch and catch tower at Starbase by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 18, 2024
development of the fully reusable spaceflight system by expanding the performance capabilities of both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. The fifth test flight marked a major milestone in SpaceX's iterative approach. In that mission, the Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch site and was caught by the "chopstick" arms of the launch and catch tower at Starbase, demonstrating the feasibility of SpaceX's design. The upper stage executed improvements that resulted in a controlled entry and an accurate splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
The upcoming sixth flight will strive to push these boundaries further by aiming for another booster return and catch at Starbase, an in-space Raptor engine reignition, and the testing of advanced heat shield configurations and maneuvering tactics for reentry and descent over the Indian Ocean. These objectives are essential for achieving full system reuse.
The first successful catch offered crucial data that has informed several hardware and software upgrades for this mission. Enhancements include added redundancy to the booster's propulsion systems, strengthened structural components at critical points, and a shorter timeline for offloading propellants after a successful catch. Updated software controls and stricter commit criteria will be in place to guide the launch and return phases.
Similar to the procedures in the fifth test, a set of specific vehicle and pad criteria must be met to execute the booster's return and catch. A final manual command from the Flight Director will be required for the catch sequence to proceed. Should conditions be deemed unfavorable by automated health checks or if the command is not given before the boostback burn concludes, the booster will divert to a trajectory for a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX maintains a firm commitment to safety, ensuring that a return and catch will only be attempted under optimal conditions.
As the booster returns, it will decelerate from supersonic speeds, which will result in sonic booms audible to nearby communities. These booms resemble brief thunderclaps, with their intensity dependent on weather and proximity to the landing area.
The upper stage of Starship will replicate the suborbital path taken during the previous test, culminating in a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. An added milestone for this flight is an attempt to ignite a single Raptor engine in space, demonstrating the capability needed for future ship deorbit burns in orbital missions.
The test will also include a range of thermal protection experiments and operational changes designed to expand Starship's resilience. Sections of the heat shield will be intentionally left uncovered to assess potential locations for catch-enabling hardware on future vehicles. The ship will also descend at a steeper angle of attack, stressing flap control systems to gather data on more challenging landing profiles. The late-afternoon launch timing is specifically chosen to ensure daylight conditions for reentry, aiding in visual documentation and analysis.
Looking ahead, future Starship vehicles, starting with the seventh test flight, will incorporate significant design updates, such as improved forward flaps, expanded propellant tanks, and next-generation heat shield tiles and protection layers. Insights gained from this and subsequent tests will contribute to enhancing Starship's reliability as SpaceX advances toward its goal of achieving a fully and rapidly reusable launch system.
A live webcast of the sixth test flight will be available approximately 30 minutes before liftoff. Viewers can watch via SpaceX's website
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