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SpaceX's fifth Starship test flight is expected to take place in September, according to CEO Elon Musk. The launch, pending FAA approval, will feature significant advancements, including a potential in-space engine reignition and a critical tower capture, marking a pivotal step in SpaceX’s space exploration efforts.
SpaceX Gears Up for September Starship Flight 5, Awaiting FAA Approval for Critical Tower Capture
Recent updates from CEO Elon Musk indicate that SpaceX's fifth Starship test flight will likely take place in September. Since the booster and second-stage spacecraft successfully soft-splashed down in June's IFT-4, SpaceX has been meticulously preparing for Flight 5. The company has conducted comprehensive tests on the second stage's engines and the launch tower, demonstrating its commitment to a successful and safe tower capture.
The delay is most likely due to this capture, as it differs from the flight profiles of previous launches, according to Wccftech. The company has previously stated that it is prepared to launch the world's giant rocket for the fifth time as soon as it receives FAA approval.
The most recent Starship update from SpaceX was posted on X late last week. It informed users that the rocket was prepared to launch for the fifth time, subject to FAA approval. This update followed a significant period of inactivity. SpaceX intends to conduct additional rocket recovery operations and advance vehicle development for Flight 6 while anticipating the agency's intricate tower capture plan assessment.
Should Elon Musk's most recent declaration prove accurate, the FAA's approval may require the remainder of August. On August 10, Musk announced on X that Starship Flight 5 would occur in "approximately three weeks." This suggests that the test will likely be postponed until September.
His previous statements have suggested that a test could occur this month. However, the FAA's scrutiny has been heightened by the risky nature of the tower catch, as the agency had previously stated that it could expedite Starship approvals if SpaceX opted to adhere to its launch and recovery operations and the flight path.
SpaceX Prepares for Starship Flight 5 with In-Space Engine Reignition and Major Hardware Upgrades
In addition to the tower capture, SpaceX is considering implementing an in-space engine reignition during Starship Flight 5. Local media footage from Boca Chica, Texas, suggests that SpaceX has conducted a Raptor vacuum engine test on the second stage as part of these preparations. This potential for additional tests and innovations is a testament to SpaceX's commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
SpaceX also replaced the thousands of thermal shield tiles that had been in place after Flight 4 during the second stage. The rocket's forward (top) flap caught fire due to defective tile application during this flight, which was the first time the second stage completed a soft splashdown. Elon Musk had anticipated this event.
SpaceX is developing the hardware for its future Starship rockets while awaiting FAA approval. The Raptor 3's initial test flight in August was a significant milestone for the company, allowing them to evaluate the rocket's most considerable upgrade: its engine. This engine's design has been significantly simplified compared to its predecessor, with enhancements focusing on critical components, reducing the risk of previous fires. These improvements, along with an increase in thrust and a reduction in weight of over one ton, bode well for the future of SpaceX's Starship rockets.
Although it is improbable that a booster static fire will occur between now and August, SpaceX may conduct an additional spacecraft test and even perform a pre-launch spin of the rocket as part of a wet dress rehearsal, it is also constructing a second launch structure at the Boca Chica site, following the completion of a new engine test area as part of a plan to renovate the area to accommodate up to 25 Starship launches annually.
