SpaceX Gears Up for Starship Flight 5 Launch, With Key Preparations Underway in Texas

SpaceX is finalizing preparations for Starship Flight 5, scheduled for October 13. Teams were seen installing the flight termination system, a key pre-launch step, indicating imminent launch activity. Local authorities in Boca Chica have announced road closures, further signaling SpaceX’s readiness.

SpaceX Installs Flight Termination System on Starship, Signaling Imminent Launch Preparations in Texas

SpaceX is conducting final pre-launch preparations following its dramatic announcement earlier this week that it was preparing to launch Starship Flight 5 as early as October 13. In footage from local media in Texas, where SpaceX assembles and tests its Starship rocket, teams are observed installing explosives on the rocket after the second stage was de-stacked from the Super Heavy booster. These pyrotechnics, referred to as a flight termination system (FTS), indicate an intention to launch, as they cannot remain on the vehicle indefinitely.

Installing explosives on a rocket is a standard pre-launch procedure that enables ground teams to demolish the vehicle if it loses control during flight. In the event of an electrical malfunction, the power source for these explosives is independent of the rocket's electrical system, guaranteeing their functionality. It is necessary to implement the FTS system just before the launch, as it is battery-operated and battery drains over time.

SpaceX installed the FTS system on both stages following the de-stacking of the Starship second stage from the Super Heavy booster. Workers have been observed assembling the rocket in Texas media footage, suggesting that SpaceX is proceeding with its plans to launch Starship on Sunday.

The significance of Starship's munitions, engines, and stage separation systems was highlighted following the initial test flight in 2023. The 397-foot rocket was forced to tumble through the air before exploding due to the second stage's failure to separate during that voyage. SpaceX subsequently acknowledged that an "unanticipated delay following AFSS activation" had occurred, necessitating the system's requalification and enhancements before the next test flight.

SpaceX Prepares for October 13 Launch with Road Closures and Final Tests for Starship Flight 5

The FTS installation in Texas commenced earlier on October 9, following the addition of pre-launch indicators customary for a test flight. Local authorities in Boca Chica, Texas, have announced road closures from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 13. Notifications have been sent to residents. These closures associated with SpaceX's test flight activities indicate imminent launch. Closures are scheduled for the same time frame over the next two days if a launch does not occur on that day.

County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr.'s notice indicates that the entrance to Boca Chica Beach and State Highway 4 will be closed on October 13, 2024, for "SpaceX flight testing activities" and "flight activity." These developments indicate that SpaceX is confident in obtaining a launch license from the FAA in time for the launch on Sunday.

SpaceX's first attempt to capture the Super Heavy projectile with the tower's catch arms will be made on Starship Flight 5, a significant milestone in the rocket's development. The second-stage Starship spacecraft is anticipated to undergo numerous gentle splashdowns, enabling SpaceX to return the spacecraft to the launch site with the necessary data and confidence. This could render the Starship the first reusable second-stage rocket in the world.