SpaceX Targets Jan 11 2025 For Starship Flight Test 7; NASA High-Tech Gulfstream To Capture Re-Entry

SpaceX is reportedly targeting no earlier than January 11, 2025, for its highly anticipated 7th Starship Flight Test, according to new documents set to the FAA by NASA.

This mission, part of the ongoing development of SpaceX’s next-generation launch system, will feature close collaboration with NASA, which is contributing its expertise and resources to support the flight with the use of its Gulfstream V aircraft which will collect critical imaging data during the ships return to earth.

NASA’s Role in Starship Flight Test 7

NASA's Gulfstream V aircraft, N95NA (callsign NASA5), will play a pivotal role in the mission by capturing high-resolution imagery of the Starship vehicle during its re-entry phase.

These observations are crucial for understanding the vehicle's performance under extreme conditions, particularly during peak heating. The imaging data will inform future spacecraft designs and contribute to making reusable space vehicles safer.

NASA has requested an expedited exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct lightless operations for this mission.

According to NASA’s Johnson Space Center Air Operations Division, the aircraft will need to operate with all exterior and interior lights turned off during calibration flights and the mission itself. This is necessary to reduce interference with sensitive onboard imaging equipment.

The FAA exemption, if granted, will also serve as a template for international coordination, including with Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), where the aircraft will deploy to support the January launch.

Calibration Flights and Mission Preparations

To prepare for the January 11 launch, NASA has outlined a series of calibration flights starting December 7, 2024.

These flights will occur over the Gulf of Mexico and Southwest Texas, utilizing airspace designated by NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen). During these operations, NASA5 will perform multiple runs in a simulated re-entry flight profile to fine-tune its onboard sensors.

The aircraft will operate at altitudes between FL400 and FL430 (approximately 40,000 to 43,000 feet), with lighting disabled for about one hour per flight.

NASA has assured the FAA that these operations will adhere to strict safety protocols, including the use of TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System), ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast), and continuous monitoring by air traffic control.

International Collaboration

NASA5 will deploy to Perth, Australia, beginning January 3, 2025, in preparation for the Starship re-entry event. The aircraft will be stationed there to capture imagery as the Starship vehicle re-enters Earth’s atmosphere over the Indian Ocean, approximately one hour after launch from SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.

Australia’s CASA has confirmed its willingness to honor the FAA’s exemption, allowing NASA5 to perform its lightless operations under the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Oceanic Center. The imaging operations will take place in international waters, where the vehicle is expected to splash down.

Significance of the Mission

This collaborative effort between SpaceX and NASA underscores the importance of partnerships in advancing space exploration. The data collected during the mission will provide insights into vehicle performance, enabling design improvements and enhancing safety for future reusable spacecraft.

SpaceX and NASA: A Partnership for the Future

As SpaceX pushes the boundaries of space exploration, NASA’s support highlights the agency's commitment to fostering innovation in the commercial spaceflight sector.

With Starship Flight Test 7, the collaboration is set to yield valuable data that will shape the future of reusable launch systems. The mission’s success could set the stage for more ambitious flights, bringing NASA and SpaceX closer to their shared goal of enabling human exploration beyond Earth orbit.