Names | Integrated Flight Test-5 |
---|---|
Mission type | Flight test |
Operator | SpaceX |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | Starship Ship 30 |
Spacecraft type | SpaceX Starship |
Manufacturer | SpaceX |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | NET August 2024 |
Rocket | SpaceX Super Heavy Booster 12 |
Launch site | Starbase |
SpaceX Starship flights |
SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 5 (IFT-5) will be the fifth integrated flight test of a prototype Starship launch vehicle. The prototype vehicles planned to be flown are the Ship 30 upper-stage and Booster 12. [1]
Based on comments from Elon Musk, the fifth flight test is expected no earlier than late July 2024. [2] In April 2024, Musk stated that the flight may involve a catch of the Super Heavy booster with the tower, based on the outcome of B11's 'virtual tower' landing during IFT-4, which he reiterated on June 6, after IFT-4 had concluded. [3] [4]
During a company all-hands in April 2024, Musk expanded briefly on the goals of flight 5, stating that the first tower landing could occur on IFT-5, depending on B11's virtual landing performance during flight 4. [3] In June, Musk stated the heatshield tiles on the flight 5 vehicle will be twice as strong along with a new ablative protection layer underneath. [5] The process of removing the old Thermal Protection System began on June 11. [6] The FAA confirmed on June 12 that no mishap investigation would be required prior to flight 5 launch. [7] The communications license from the FCC for IFT-5 was applied for with a start date of July 19. [8]
Design revisions on Ship 30 include a new vent on the liquid methane tank and another vent with a new valve design on the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank. [9] Two arrays of small radio antennas were redesigned and relocated near the payload bay instead of the ship's nosecone, with one array concealed beneath the ship's heat shield. [10]
Static fire testing of Ship 30 occurred in early May in preparation for flight 5. [11] This was the last static fire conducted at the now-demolished Suborbital Pad B, [12] as future tests will use the static fire stand at Massey's Test Site. [13]