The sixth Starship test flight is scheduled for November 18 at noon (this is important). The objective of this mission is to replicate the success of the previous flight in testing the operation of the Raptor engine in space. This test is critical to the starship’s preparation for de-orbiting, suggesting that orbiting may be considered during the next mission.
SpaceXSpaceX has just announced that the sixth test flight of Starship is scheduled in a few days, on the afternoon of November 18th. The test comes just weeks after the previous flight, which was a remarkable success and an important milestone in the qualification of a complete and rapidly reusable launch system. Surprisingly and as expected, the mission profile of this sixth flight will be largely inspired by Starship 5, while incorporating several new features that will make the mission particularly interesting and instructive.
The successful first retrieval of the Superheavy proved the feasibility of the Starship design and provided the data necessary to improve the technical performance and architecture of the launch vehicle and its two stages. For this flight, hardware improvements are planned including increased redundancy in the propulsion systems, better resistanceresistance Structural, as well as optimization of the Mechazilla launch tower and the maneuvering method of the stage after its two captures. Chopsticks
The return of the superheavy under close supervision.
The conditions necessary for the safe return of the superheavy main stage are stringent, both for the launcher and the launch tower that must recover it mid-flight.
The flight director must give the green light before the so-called ” Boost back “In the event of non-compliance, and to avoid any risk of hitting the launch tower as might have occurred during the previous flight, the Superheavy will follow a safety path that will lead to a landing in the Gulf of Mexico. The return of the booster will be marked by several supersonic booms.
SpaceX has done a showmanship by scheduling the flight in the afternoon.
The upper stage, the starship, will follow a subsonic trajectory similar to the previous flight, with a planned landing in the Indian Ocean. One of the additional objectives of this flight is to demonstrate the operation of the Raptor engine in space, an important step in performing a powerful deorbit, before future test flights in orbit, of course during Starship 7 and fuel transfers. Required for the test. Two starships in orbit in 2025. Note that selecting a late afternoon flight schedule will allow the starship to re-enter.EnvironmentEnvironment Over the Indian Ocean the lightthe light of the day, thus providing better conditions for visual observations.
The new experiments will test Starship’s capabilities and provide data to improve capture and reuse methods. The test will also evaluate thermal shielding materials and deliberately change the angle of attack during descent, within a certain control range, to gather information on different landing profiles.
Finally, future prototypes, including Starship 7, will include significant improvements such as redesigned flaps, larger tanks and more efficient thermal protection systems, with new ones being introduced. The tilesThe tiles.
