SpaceX Already Gearing Up for Starship’s Sixth Test Flight
SpaceX has released images of a Super Heavy booster heading to the launchpad for prelaunch testing.
“Flight 6 Super Heavy booster moved to the Starbase pad for testing,” SpaceX said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
SpaceX, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, is eager to proceed with the sixth test flight of the Starship. This flight comprises the Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft.
Once the ground-based prelaunch testing of the Super Heavy’s engines is complete, engineers will also test the Starship’s engines. After that, the Starship will be lifted atop the Super Heavy in preparation for the sixth test flight from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
The most recent test of the powerful rocket took place on October 13 and was a huge success. The mission involved the launch tower’s giant mechanical arms “catching” the Super Heavy booster as it returned to Earth. This happened shortly after deploying the Starship spacecraft to orbit. It was the first attempt to perform this feat, and it put SpaceX on a path to creating a reliable, reusable Starship system. This system will enable it to increase flight frequency and slash mission costs.
There’s no word yet on when the sixth Starship test will take place, but there’s a fair chance it could fly again by the end of next month. A message to news site NASASpaceflight (NSF) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suggested SpaceX currently has clearance to launch. This is provided it sticks to the same mission profile as Flight 5. However, if SpaceX changes the mission profile, the FAA will need additional time to review it before deciding whether to award a launch permit.
“The SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Flight 5 license authorization also includes FAA approval of the Flight 6 mission profile,” the regulatory body told NSF. “The FAA determined the changes requested by SpaceX for Flight 6 are within the scope of what has been previously analyzed. Any modifications requested by SpaceX to the approved Flight 6 scope of operations may require further FAA evaluation.”
NASA is watching the Starship’s development closely. It will use the vehicle for the Artemis III mission, currently set for 2026. This mission will land humans on the lunar surface for the first time in five decades.
“Flight 6 Super Heavy booster moved to the Starbase pad for testing,” SpaceX said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
SpaceX, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, is eager to proceed with the sixth test flight of the Starship. This flight comprises the Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft.
Once the ground-based prelaunch testing of the Super Heavy’s engines is complete, engineers will also test the Starship’s engines. After that, the Starship will be lifted atop the Super Heavy in preparation for the sixth test flight from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
The most recent test of the powerful rocket took place on October 13 and was a huge success. The mission involved the launch tower’s giant mechanical arms “catching” the Super Heavy booster as it returned to Earth. This happened shortly after deploying the Starship spacecraft to orbit. It was the first attempt to perform this feat, and it put SpaceX on a path to creating a reliable, reusable Starship system. This system will enable it to increase flight frequency and slash mission costs.
There’s no word yet on when the sixth Starship test will take place, but there’s a fair chance it could fly again by the end of next month. A message to news site NASASpaceflight (NSF) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suggested SpaceX currently has clearance to launch. This is provided it sticks to the same mission profile as Flight 5. However, if SpaceX changes the mission profile, the FAA will need additional time to review it before deciding whether to award a launch permit.
“The SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Flight 5 license authorization also includes FAA approval of the Flight 6 mission profile,” the regulatory body told NSF. “The FAA determined the changes requested by SpaceX for Flight 6 are within the scope of what has been previously analyzed. Any modifications requested by SpaceX to the approved Flight 6 scope of operations may require further FAA evaluation.”
NASA is watching the Starship’s development closely. It will use the vehicle for the Artemis III mission, currently set for 2026. This mission will land humans on the lunar surface for the first time in five decades.