Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX is preparing to the sixth starship test. After the successful flight of the fifth mission that allowed testing the basis of the design of a reusable launch system, the new mission has been scheduled to be launched from the platform of its Starbase, in southern Texas.
Test objectives
The Super Heavy rocket was able to return to the launch site in the fifth test and was trapped by the arms of the Starbase launch and capture tower. Now the goal is test the capabilities of the ship and the propellant, trying to make the entire system reusable. Once again with the return of the booster to the launch site, an attempt will also be made to restart the ship’s Raptor engine and carry out a series of experiments with the heat shield. Changes will also be made to maneuver and descent of the ship over the Indian Ocean. Trying in the process to continue collecting valuable information and improving system performance taking them to the limit.
It is about increase structural strength in key areas and shorten operations function times. The mission designers also updated the software controls and commitment criteria for rocket launch and return.
In a Space X statement specifies that “an additional objective of this flight will be to attempt a burn in space using a single Raptor engine…the flight test will evaluate new materials of secondary thermal protection and entire sections of heat shield plates will be removed on both sides of the ship in locations that are being studied for hardware to enable capture in future vehicles. The ship too will intentionally fly at a higher angle of attack in the final phase of descentdeliberately stressing the limits of flap control to obtain data on future landing profiles. Finally, adjusting the flight’s takeoff window to the afternoon at Starbase will allow the spacecraft to re-enter the Indian Ocean in daylight, providing better conditions for visual observations.”
They also clarify that in this mission, specific criteria regarding the vehicle and platform must be met before the Super Heavy rocket returns and is recovered, which will require systems in good condition in the rocket and tower. and a final manual order from the mission flight director.
What time will the sixth flight test be?
The sixth Starship launch is scheduled for this Tuesday, November 19, with a 30-minute launch window beginning at 4:00 p.m. m., US Central Timewhich is equivalent to 23 hours in Spain. A schedule that could vary depending on weather and technical conditions.
Where can you watch the Starship flight test?
Interested people will be able to follow the live broadcast through SpaceX’s official social networks and its new application X TV, as well as in specialized portals such as Space.com.
Their statement details that “approximately 30 minutes before takeoff, a live webcast of the flight test will be held, which you can view on X @SpaceX. As with all development tests, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to check our website and keep an eye on our X account for updates.”
What will happen next?
There will be a seventh test that will include significant innovations, such as redesigned front flapslarger fuel tanks and improvements to the thermal protection system. “Learnings from this and subsequent flight tests will continue to make the entire Starship system more reliable as we move closer to complete and rapid reusability,” they say from Space X.
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