SpaceX announced on Friday that it is aiming for a June 5 launch for Starship’s fourth test flight. This mission is focused on perfecting the vehicle’s descent and recovery—a crucial milestone for achieving the reusability needed to meet the flight frequency envisioned by the company.
“The fourth flight test shifts our focus from simply reaching orbit to demonstrating the ability to return and reuse both Starship and Super Heavy,” SpaceX stated. Reflecting on the third flight: The March 14 test showcased significant progress, with key achievements including the opening and closing of Starship’s payload door, a propellant transfer demonstration, and Starship’s reentry.
However, what led to the booster’s failure at 462 meters over the Gulf and Starship’s explosive reentry 49 minutes into the flight?
Booster: Only two of the 13 landing engines successfully reignited during the controlled water landing attempt. SpaceX attributed the engine failures primarily to a blockage in the liquid oxygen filter. To address this, the company has reinforced the hardware for flight four.
Starship second stage: During atmospheric reentry, Starship experienced unexpected twisting, which resulted in greater than anticipated heating on both shielded and unshielded areas. SpaceX identified clogged valves as the cause of attitude control issues and has added extra roll control thrusters for the fourth flight.
With Starship IFT-3 launching just two months ago, the planned June 5 flight for IFT-4 would continue to shorten the time between launches, reflecting the program’s improving cadence.
Flight turnaround times:
- IFT-1 to IFT-2: 212 days
- IFT-2 to IFT-3: 117 days
- IFT-3 to IFT-4: ~83 days (estimated based on the June 5 target)
SpaceX is honing in on reusability as the key to further reducing the interval between flights.
Flight four: In addition to the hardware upgrades, SpaceX plans to jettison its hot-staging adapter—a shielded ring that allows the second-stage engines to ignite before the booster engines shut down—after use. Discarding this adapter will reduce the booster’s mass, increasing its chances of executing a controlled water landing on what SpaceX refers to as a “virtual tower.”
A safer mishap: Since the debris from Flight Three did not land in a hazardous area, SpaceX noted that the FAA can issue a license modification for Flight Four without needing to conclude its investigation into IFT-3. However, the FAA has not yet granted a license for the upcoming test flight.
Wen pad landing? If all goes well with Starship four, SpaceX hinted that they might attempt to catch a returning 71-meter-tall booster at the Starbase pad during the next Starship flight.
SpaceX Targets June 5 for Starship Flight 4
SpaceX has set its sights on June 5 for the launch of the fourth test flight of its Starship rocket. This flight is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to develop a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans and cargo to destinations like the Moon and Mars. The June 5 target reflects SpaceX’s commitment to an ambitious launch schedule as it continues to refine and advance its Starship program.
Focus Shifts to Reusability in Upcoming Starship Test
While previous test flights have focused on achieving orbit and testing various systems, the primary objective of the upcoming flight is to demonstrate the reusability of both the Starship spacecraft and its Super Heavy booster. Reusability is a critical aspect of SpaceX’s long-term goals, as it significantly reduces the cost of space travel by allowing the same hardware to be used multiple times. This test will therefore focus on perfecting the vehicle’s ability to return safely to Earth, paving the way for future missions that can quickly turn around and fly again.
Key Upgrades for Starship Flight 4 Unveiled
In preparation for this crucial test, SpaceX has made several key upgrades to both the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster. These enhancements are designed to address issues encountered during previous flights and to improve the overall performance and reliability of the system. Notable upgrades include reinforced hardware to prevent blockages in the liquid oxygen system, additional roll control thrusters to improve attitude control during reentry, and the inclusion of a hot-staging adapter that will be jettisoned after use to reduce the booster’s mass.
Booster and Starship Enhancements Aimed at Controlled Recovery
A major goal of the upcoming test flight is to achieve a controlled recovery of both the booster and the Starship. In previous flights, challenges with engine relights and attitude control led to unsuccessful landings. For Flight 4, SpaceX has focused on improving the relight reliability of the booster’s landing engines and enhancing the Starship’s reentry capabilities. These improvements are crucial for demonstrating that both components can be safely recovered and reused, a key step toward making Starship a fully reusable launch system.
Shorter Turnaround Time Marks Program Progress
One of the notable aspects of the Starship program’s progress is the decreasing time between test flights. The turnaround time from the third test flight in March to the planned fourth flight in June is approximately 83 days, significantly shorter than the intervals between earlier flights. This reduction in turnaround time is indicative of SpaceX’s increasing efficiency and confidence in the Starship system, bringing the company closer to its goal of conducting frequent and cost-effective launches.
FAA License Awaited for Next Starship Launch
Before the next test flight can proceed, SpaceX must receive a license modification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While SpaceX has addressed many of the issues from the previous flight, the FAA’s approval is still required to ensure that all safety and regulatory standards are met. The fact that debris from the last test flight did not land in a hazardous area has made it possible for the FAA to consider issuing this modification without completing its full investigation into the prior mishap. However, the timing of the license issuance will be a critical factor in determining whether the June 5 launch date can be met.
These points collectively highlight the technical advancements and strategic focus that SpaceX is bringing to its Starship program as it moves closer to achieving its ambitious goals for space exploration and travel.
Frequently Asked Question
When is the next Starship test flight scheduled?
The next Starship test flight, known as Starship Flight 4, is currently targeted for June 5. This data is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to test and refine the Starship launch system as they work toward making space travel more frequent and cost-effective.
What is the main objective of Starship Flight 4?
The primary objective of Starship Flight 4 is to demonstrate the reusability of both the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster. This involves successfully returning and recovering both stages after launch, a crucial step toward SpaceX’s goal of creating a fully reusable space transportation system.
What key improvements have been made for this test flight?
Several key upgrades have been implemented for Starship Flight 4. These include reinforced hardware to prevent liquid oxygen system blockages, additional roll control thrusters for better attitude control during reentry, and a hot-staging adapter that will be jettisoned post-use to reduce booster mass and improve landing success.
What challenges were encountered in the previous test flight?
In the previous test flight (IFT-3), the Super Heavy booster failed to relight most of its landing engines due to liquid oxygen filter blockages, and Starship experienced unexpected heating during reentry due to clogged valves that affected attitude control. These issues led to the booster’s failure and Starship’s reentry explosion.
How has SpaceX addressed the issues from the previous flight?
SpaceX has reinforced the liquid oxygen system hardware to prevent blockages, added additional roll control thrusters to improve reentry stability, and redesigned parts of the booster to reduce mass and increase the likelihood of a successful controlled water landing.
What is the significance of the reduced turnaround time between flights?
The reduced turnaround time between flights—approximately 83 days from Flight 3 to Flight 4—indicates significant progress in the Starship program. It reflects SpaceX’s growing efficiency and ability to conduct more frequent launches, which is essential for meeting the demands of future space missions.
Has SpaceX received the necessary FAA license for the upcoming flight?
As of now, SpaceX is still awaiting a license modification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to proceed with Flight 4. Although the FAA has not yet issued the license, SpaceX remains optimistic, especially since debris from the last flight did not land in a hazardous area, which may expedite the licensing process.
Conclusion
SpaceX’s upcoming Starship Flight 4 marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward developing a fully reusable space transportation system. Scheduled for June 5, this test flight aims to demonstrate the reusability of both the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster, focusing on key improvements and addressing challenges from previous tests. With a reduced turnaround time and crucial hardware upgrades, SpaceX is pushing the boundaries of space exploration and making strides toward more frequent and cost-effective missions. As they await the necessary FAA license, the success of this flight could bring SpaceX one step closer to achieving its ambitious vision for the future of space travel.