SpaceX is gearing up for its sixth flight test of the Starship rocket, the largest spacecraft ever constructed, which is scheduled to take place on November 18, 2024. This follows the successful completion of Starship’s fifth flight just under a month ago, which demonstrated impressive advancements in both rocket reusability and precision landing techniques.

The high frequency of these flight tests has been made possible by the success of the previous mission. Notably, during the fifth test, SpaceX achieved two groundbreaking milestones: the Super Heavy booster was successfully caught in mid-air by the “chopstick” arms at the launch tower, and the Starship upper stage made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean after completing its suborbital flight. These achievements marked significant progress toward making the Starship system fully reusable.

For the upcoming sixth test, SpaceX has set its sights on re-creating these successes, which will include catching the Super Heavy booster once again at the launch site and ensuring an accurate splashdown of the Starship upper stage. In addition to these goals, the test will continue to explore the performance of the heat shield and refine maneuvers during upper-stage reentry. The test is expected to expand the envelope of the ship and booster capabilities, bringing SpaceX closer to realizing the goal of reusing the entire Starship system.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved both the fifth and sixth test flights together, a significant departure from previous missions where SpaceX had to wait for individual approvals, sometimes for months, before launching. The efficiency of this approval process is partly due to the positive outcome of the fifth test, which boosted confidence in SpaceX’s Starship development.

Engineers have also made several upgrades to the Starship system in preparation for the sixth test flight. These include increased redundancy in the booster propulsion system, updated software controls, and other technical improvements. Notably, the sixth flight will also involve testing the capability of relighting one of the six Raptor engines on the upper stage while in orbit—a critical function that will eventually enable the reuse of the Starship upper stage. This is part of SpaceX’s broader effort to make its rockets fully reusable.

The upcoming test flight will also feature new secondary thermal protection materials and involve flying the Starship at a higher angle of attack during the final phase of descent. This maneuver is designed to push the limits of the rocket’s flap control systems and gather valuable data for future landing profiles.

Looking ahead, the data collected from this test will be crucial for further upgrades to the Starship system. Flight 7 will feature significant changes, including redesigned flaps, larger propellant tanks, and enhanced thermal protection technologies. These upgrades will bring SpaceX closer to its long-term goal of making Starship a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The flight will be broadcast live, with the webcast starting 30 minutes before the 30-minute launch window opens at 2 p.m. PT on November 18. Viewers will be able to watch the test via SpaceX’s website or on X (formerly Twitter). The late-afternoon timing, with the launch window opening at 4 p.m. local Texas time, will provide optimal viewing conditions during the reentry phase.

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