The sixth flight of SpaceX's Starship program came much sooner than many expected. Ship 31 and Booster 13—aka palindrome flight 3113—are ready for launch. This will mark the final flight of Starship Version 1, making it a pivotal moment in the Starship development timeline.
Key Objectives for IFT 6
- Relighting a Raptor Engine During Coast Phase: Testing in-space engine reignition is critical for interplanetary missions.
- Steeper Reentry Angle: This will simulate more challenging reentry conditions, necessary for returning from deep space.
- Thermal Protection Testing: Engineers aim to validate and stress-test thermal protection systems under higher thermal loads. In previous flights, forward flaps sustained burn-through damage.
IFT Timeline
| Name | Date | Days Elapsed |
|---|---|---|
| IFT 1 | 20.04.2023 | |
| IFT 2 | 18.11.2023 | 212 |
| IFT 3 | 14.03.2024 | 117 |
| IFT 4 | 06.06.2024 | 84 |
| IFT 5 | 13.10.2024 | 129 |
| IFT 6 | 19.11.2024 | 37 |
SpaceX has achieved its fastest turnaround yet for an integrated test flight: 37 days, significantly surpassing the previous record of 84 days between IFT 3 and IFT 4.
Regulatory Clearance
SpaceX received its FAA license for a second flight with similar trajectories following the successful IFT 5 launch.
Launch Details
Flights typically occur early in the morning, but this time, IFT 6 will happen during daylight hours to enable better observation of Ship 31's landing in the Indian Ocean.
Recovery Efforts
The team at @SpaceOffshore has been closely tracking recovery vessels near Australia that are expected to support operations.
https://x.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1858789579454652800
Starship Data
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Full Stack | |
| Height: | 120 m |
| Diameter: | 9 m |
| Payload Capacity: | 100–150 t (fully reusable) |
| Starship Spacecraft | |
| Height: | 50 m |
| Diameter: | 9 m |
| Super Heavy Booster | |
| Height: | 69 m |
| Diameter: | 9 m |
Additional Insights
- SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell revealed at the Baron Capital conference (source)
https://x.com/xdNiBoR/status/1857866735698792646
that she envisions 400 Starship launches within the next 4 years. This ambitious schedule includes substituting Starship flights for Falcon missions, including crew missions to the ISS.
Flight Trajectory
Details of the mission trajectory can be found on SpaceX’s official page: Starship Flight 6.
More Information
Tim Dodd was lucky enough to get three guided tours around Starbase by Elon Musk:
Tour 2024:
- First Look Inside SpaceX's Starfactory w/ Elon Musk
- Join Elon Musk on a tour of Starship just before it launches! (w/ post launch interview)
Tour 2022:
- 2022 Elon Musk Explains Updates To Starship And Starbase!
- Go up SpaceX's Starship-catching robotic launch tower with Elon Musk!
- Elon Musk Explains SpaceX's Merlin Engine!
- Elon Musk Explains SpaceX's Raptor Engine!
Tour 2021:
- Starbase Tour with Elon Musk [PART 1 // Summer 2021]
- Starbase Tour with Elon Musk [PART 2 // Summer 2021]
- Starbase Launchpad Tour with Elon Musk [PART 3 // Summer 2021]
Further information
StarshipGazer.com: Useful Starship links
Background information about previous SpaceX launches: Wikipedia
FAA: SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
FAA: Licensed Launches
Cosmic Perspective: Valhalla: Starship Explosion Footage SN8-SN11 - 4K
Lex Fridman: Starship: The most powerful rocket ever made | Tim Dodd and Lex Fridman