The sixth test flight of SpaceX’s Starship is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, with a 30-minute launch window opening at 4:00 p.m. CT.
The fifth flight test marked a significant milestone in the path toward creating a fully reusable launch system. During that mission, the Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch site and was caught by the chopstick arms of Starbase’s launch and catch tower. Meanwhile, the Starship upper stage demonstrated numerous improvements, achieving a controlled reentry and a precise splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
Objectives for the Sixth Flight
The next test flight will push the boundaries of the booster and ship’s capabilities, taking additional steps toward full-system reuse. Key objectives include:
Booster Catch: A return of the Super Heavy booster to Starbase for another chopstick catch.
Raptor Engine Reignition in Space: Testing the reignition of a single Raptor engine during the upper stage’s suborbital flight.
Reentry Testing: Assessing upgrades to the heat shield and maneuvering systems during Starship’s descent over the Indian Ocean.
This test will also build on the successful catch of the Super Heavy booster from the fifth flight, validating its feasibility while providing crucial data for ongoing hardware and software improvements.
Upgrades and Safety Measures
For this flight, hardware enhancements include:
Increased redundancy in booster propulsion systems.
Reinforced structural elements at critical locations.
Faster propellant offloading following a successful catch.
Software adjustments include revised controls and updated commit criteria for the booster’s launch and recovery. Importantly, the catch will only proceed under optimal conditions. If health checks or the Flight Director’s manual command signal issues, the booster will divert to a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure public and crew safety.
The returning booster will generate sonic booms as it slows from supersonic speeds near the landing site. These booms will sound like brief thunderclaps and vary in intensity based on weather and distance from the site.
Starship Upper Stage and Thermal Protection Testing
The upper stage will follow a suborbital trajectory similar to the fifth flight, with splashdown planned for the Indian Ocean. This test includes a new in-space burn of a single Raptor engine to simulate a deorbit burn needed for future orbital missions.
To explore Starship’s thermal limits and reusability, engineers will:
Test new thermal protection materials.
Leave sections of the heat shield intentionally exposed to gather data for future catch-enabling hardware.
Fly at a higher angle of attack during descent to stress flap controls and evaluate landing dynamics.
Launching in the late afternoon allows for daylight reentry, improving visual observation conditions over the Indian Ocean.
Preparing for Future Flights
Starting with the seventh flight test, future Starships will incorporate significant upgrades, including:
Redesigned forward flaps.
Larger propellant tanks.
Advanced heat shield tiles and secondary thermal protection layers.
Each test brings SpaceX closer to a fully reusable Starship system, paving the way for reliable and rapid reusability.
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