Sixth Starship Flight Test Scheduled for November 19
SpaceX is gearing up for the sixth flight test of its Starship spacecraft, targeting a launch on Tuesday, November 19. The 30-minute launch window will open at 4:00 p.m. CT, with a live webcast starting 30 minutes before liftoff. Viewers can watch the broadcast on SpaceX’s social media platforms and the new X TV app.
As with all developmental testing, the timeline remains dynamic and subject to change.
Key Objectives for the Sixth Test
The sixth flight test will build on the breakthroughs from the fifth, aiming to expand both the booster and ship’s capabilities. Major objectives include:
- Booster Catch: Super Heavy will attempt to return to the launch site and be caught by the chopstick arms of the launch tower.
- In-Space Engine Ignition: Starship’s upper stage will test firing a single Raptor engine in space, simulating a deorbit burn.
- Heat Shield Experiments: The flight will evaluate new thermal protection materials and structural changes, with sections of the heat shield removed to stress-test its design.
- Descent Maneuvers: The upper stage will perform a steeper descent profile, testing flap controls for future landing profiles.
The test is designed to gather crucial data as SpaceX continues developing a fully reusable launch system capable of revolutionising space travel.
Notable Upgrades and Safety Measures
Since the fifth test, SpaceX has made significant upgrades to hardware and software:
- Booster Enhancements: Improved propulsion system redundancy, stronger structural reinforcements, and faster propellant offloading.
- Software Updates: Enhanced control algorithms and refined return criteria for safer operations.
Safety remains paramount. If health checks or conditions for the booster and tower are unsuitable, the booster will instead perform a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
Residents near the launch site may hear sonic booms as the booster slows down during its return. These are typically experienced as brief thunder-like sounds.
Starship Upper Stage Plans
The upper stage will follow a suborbital trajectory, with splashdown in the Indian Ocean, mirroring the previous test. A new feature of this flight will be a controlled in-space engine burn, marking progress toward orbital missions.
The test also includes structural adjustments to explore future vehicle enhancements. Heat shield tiles have been removed in specific areas to evaluate potential modifications for catch mechanisms. Additionally, the upper stage will reenter the atmosphere at a higher angle of attack, stressing its control surfaces for future landing designs.
Preparing for Future Starship Flights
Future tests, beginning with the seventh flight, will feature major upgrades such as redesigned flaps, larger propellant tanks, and enhanced thermal protection systems. These improvements aim to move SpaceX closer to its goal of a fully reusable launch system, reducing costs and improving reliability.
With each flight, SpaceX collects valuable data to refine the Starship system, paving the way for sustainable space exploration and interplanetary missions.
