SpaceX will test the sixth flight of Starship, the largest rocket ever built, as soon as November 18, following the smooth success of the previous mission less than a month ago.
The high cadence is thanks, in part, to that success, which includes the first return of the Super Heavy booster to the launch pad – where the giant “chopstick” arms that bounce off the launch tower hold it in the air – and. controlled, targeted descent after suborbital flight of the Starship’s upper stage in the Indian Ocean. This sixth test covers many of the same objectives; this fact led the Federal Aviation Administration to approve both the 5 and 6 aircraft at the same time last month. Until now, SpaceX has had to wait (sometimes months) for regulatory approval before launching each Starship.
In a post on its website, SpaceX says it will attempt to replicate these same feats on November 18, including holding the booster on the launch pad and the precision landing of the Starship. The company will continue to test the thermal protection and re-entry measures of the upper stage, “to increase the envelope in the vessels and the strength and to get closer to bringing the reusability of the whole system online.” Engineers also introduced several improvements to the system, including more flexibility in the booster propulsion system, updated software controls, and other changes.
SpaceX will also attempt to fire one of the Raptor’s six engines into orbit, a key capability to eventually reactivate the Starship’s upper stage. Engineers will include this phase in its journey in other ways as well: The company will test new thermal insulation materials. In addition, as the company puts it, “The ship will deliberately fly at a high angle of attack in the final stage of descent, deliberately emphasizing the limits of flap control to obtain data on future landing profiles.”
All of these tests will result in “significant improvements” to the ship, starting with the 7th plane, such as redesigned flaps, larger fuel tanks, and the latest thermal protection.
A live webcast of the test will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the 30-minute launch window at 2pm PT, which will be viewable on X or the SpaceX website. This afternoon launch window (which opens at 4 p.m. Texas time) will make for better viewing conditions on reentry, SpaceX said.
Source link
