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SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 5

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Starship IFT-5
NamesIntegrated Flight Test-5
Mission typeFlight test
OperatorSpaceX
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftStarship Ship 30
Spacecraft typeSpaceX Starship
ManufacturerSpaceX
Start of mission
Launch dateNET August 2024
RocketSpaceX Super Heavy Booster 12
Launch siteStarbase
← IFT-4
IFT-6 →
 

SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 5 (IFT-5) will be the fifth integrated flight test of a prototype Starship launch vehicle. The prototype vehicles planned to be flown are the Ship 30 upper-stage and Booster 12.[1]

Based on comments from Elon Musk, the fifth flight test is expected no earlier than August 2024.[2] In April 2024, Musk stated that the if B11's 'virtual tower' landing during IFT-4 was successful, flight five may involve a catch of the Super Heavy booster, which he reiterated on 6 June, after IFT-4 had concluded.[3][4]

Background[edit]

Development prior to launch[edit]

During a company all-hands in April 2024, Musk expanded briefly on the goals of flight 5, stating that the first tower landing could occur on IFT-5, depending on B11's virtual landing performance during flight 4.[3] In June, Musk stated the heatshield tiles on the flight 5 vehicle will be twice as strong along with a new ablative protection layer underneath.[5] The process of removing the old Thermal Protection System began on 11 June.[6] The FAA confirmed on 12 June that no mishap investigation would be required prior to flight 5 launch.[7] The communications license from the FCC for IFT-5 was applied for with a start date of 19 July.[8] Multiple tests occurred with the hydraulic arms on the launch tower in preparation for the booster catch.[9]

Vehicle testing ahead of launch[edit]

Design revisions on Ship 30 include a new vent on the liquid methane tank and another vent with a new valve design on the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank.[10] Two arrays of small radio antennas were redesigned and relocated near the payload bay instead of the ship's nosecone, with one array concealed beneath the ship's heat shield.[11]

Static fire testing of Ship 30 occurred in early May in preparation for flight 5.[12] This was the last static fire conducted at the now-demolished Suborbital Pad B,[13] as future tests will use the static fire stand at Massey's Test Site.[14]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ NASASpaceflight (8 May 2024). SpaceX Static Fires Ship 30 in Preparation for the Fifth Starship Flight. Retrieved 20 May 2024 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ @elonmusk (6 July 2024). "Flight 5 in 4 weeks" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ a b Bergin, Chris [@nasaspaceflight] (6 April 2024). "Some interesting notes" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 April 2024 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  5. ^ NASASpaceflight (10 June 2024). Looking Ahead To The Next Starship Flight ALREADY | Starbase Update. Retrieved 10 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "The removal of all of Starship 30's heatshield tiles has begun". X (formerly Twitter). 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  7. ^ Merritt, Sawyer (12 June 2024). "NEWS: I emailed the FAA". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  8. ^ "OET Special Temporary Authority Report". apps.fcc.gov. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  9. ^ NASASpaceflight (1 July 2024). SpaceX Gears Up for First Super Heavy Booster Catch! 🚀 | Starbase Update. Retrieved 7 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Jax (1 May 2024). "Moving into the Thirties: What's New on Starship 30?". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Moving into the Thirties: What's New on Starship 30?". Ringwatchers. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  12. ^ Ali, Iqtidar (9 May 2024). "SpaceX readies Flight 5 Starship with a static fire test ahead of Flight 4, Starbase updates". Tesla Oracle. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  13. ^ NASASpaceflight (12 May 2024). Booster 11 Lifted Onto the OLM for Pre-Launch Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 5 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ NASASpaceflight (3 June 2024). It's Launch Week! (BONUS: Ship 26 Static Fire @ Masseys) - Countdown to Launch. Retrieved 5 June 2024 – via YouTube.
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