SpaceX is gearing up for the fifth test flight of its formidable Starship, set for Sunday, October 13. Following a largely successful fourth test, where Starship successfully reached orbit and returned to Earth in mostly one piece, this upcoming mission aims not only to launch the upper stage into orbit but also to catch its Super Heavy booster.
The scheduling of this fifth flight faced delays related to licensing from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); however, SpaceX has confirmed that it is now targeting a launch at 8 a.m. ET (5 a.m. PT) on Sunday.
To catch the action, viewers can join SpaceX’s live stream on X (previously known as Twitter):
Watch Starship’s fifth flight test https://t.co/LVrCnTv797
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 12, 2024
You can also catch the launch on SpaceX’s official website.
In a recent blog post, the company outlined its ambitious plans to capture the Super Heavy booster using a pair of enormous mechanical arms, affectionately dubbed “chopsticks.” These will attempt to secure the booster as it lands at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, marking the first instance of such a capture and a major advancement towards making the Starship program reusable. SpaceX has previously demonstrated this technology with its Falcon 9 rocket, which regularly lands its boosters on platforms in the ocean or on land for reuse.
However, Starship is significantly larger and more powerful than the Falcon 9, with unique boosters that present new challenges for successful capture.
“Extensive upgrades have been implemented across Super Heavy, Starship, and the launch and catch tower infrastructure at Starbase in preparation for this flight test,” said SpaceX. “Our engineers have dedicated years to this project, pouring thousands of hours into developing the necessary infrastructure to maximize our chances of success. We prioritize safety for both the public and our team, and the attempt to return will only occur under optimal conditions.”
If you’d like to watch the live stream for Sunday’s flight, coverage will kick off around 7:30 a.m. ET (4:30 a.m. PT), or you can stay updated on the flight via SpaceX’s X account.
