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Starship flight test 5

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Starship flight test 5
Mission typeFlight test
OperatorSpaceX
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftStarship Ship 30
Spacecraft typeStarship
ManufacturerSpaceX
Start of mission
Launch dateNET September 2024[1]
RocketSuper Heavy (B12)
Launch siteStarbase, OLM-A

Starship flight test 5 will be the fifth flight test of a SpaceX Starship launch vehicle. The prototype vehicles planned to be flown are the Ship 30 upper-stage and Booster 12. This fifth flight test is expected to include the first attempted "catch" of the Super Heavy booster using the Orbital Launch Mount tower at the Starbase launch site.

Background

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Development prior to launch

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During a company all-hands in April 2024, Musk expanded briefly on the goals of flight test 5, stating that the first tower landing could occur, depending on B11's virtual landing performance during the fourth flight test.[2] In June, Musk stated the heatshield tiles on the flight 5 vehicle will be twice as strong along with a new ablative protection layer underneath.[3] The process of removing the old Thermal Protection System began on June 11.[4] The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed on June 12 that no mishap investigation would be required prior to flight 5 launch.[5] The communications license from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the fifth flight test was applied for with a start date of July 19.[6] Multiple tests occurred with the hydraulic arms on the launch tower in preparation for the booster catch.[7]

Vehicle testing ahead of launch

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Design revisions on Ship 30 include a new vent on the liquid methane tank and another vent with a new valve design on the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank.[8] Two arrays of small radio antennas were redesigned and relocated near the payload bay instead of the ship's nosecone, with one array concealed beneath the ship's heat shield.[9]

Static fire testing of Ship 30 occurred in early May in preparation for flight 5.[10] This was the last static fire conducted at the now-demolished Suborbital Pad B,[11] as future tests will use the static fire stand at Massey's Test Site.[12] Booster 12 moved to the launch pad on July 9.[13] The booster performed a spin prime test on July 12; it was the first time a spin prime test was performed since Booster 9 in August 2023.[14] A static fire of Booster 12 was completed on July 15 and Ship 30 static fire was conducted on July 26th.[15][16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Starship Flight 5". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  2. ^ Bergin, Chris [@nasaspaceflight] (6 April 2024). "Some interesting notes" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 April 2024 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ NASASpaceflight (10 June 2024). Looking Ahead To The Next Starship Flight ALREADY | Starbase Update. Retrieved 10 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "The removal of all of Starship 30's heatshield tiles has begun". X (formerly Twitter). 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  5. ^ Merritt, Sawyer (12 June 2024). "NEWS: I emailed the FAA". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  6. ^ "OET Special Temporary Authority Report". apps.fcc.gov. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  7. ^ NASASpaceflight (1 July 2024). SpaceX Gears Up for First Super Heavy Booster Catch! 🚀 | Starbase Update. Retrieved 7 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Jax (1 May 2024). "Moving into the Thirties: What's New on Starship 30?". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Moving into the Thirties: What's New on Starship 30?". Ringwatchers. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  10. ^ Ali, Iqtidar (9 May 2024). "SpaceX readies Flight 5 Starship with a static fire test ahead of Flight 4, Starbase updates". Tesla Oracle. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  11. ^ NASASpaceflight (12 May 2024). Booster 11 Lifted Onto the OLM for Pre-Launch Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 5 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ NASASpaceflight (3 June 2024). It's Launch Week! (BONUS: Ship 26 Static Fire @ Masseys) - Countdown to Launch. Retrieved 5 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ NASASpaceflight (9 July 2024). SpaceX Rolls out Potential First Catch Booster – B12. Retrieved 9 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ NASASpaceflight (14 July 2024). Booster 12 Conducts First Super Heavy Spin Prime Since Booster 9 | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 14 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ NASASpaceflight (15 July 2024). SpaceX Static Fires Booster 12 for Fifth Starship Flight Test. Retrieved 15 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "STATIC FIRE! Ship 30 fires up at Masseys ahead of Flight 5 of Starship".
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