SpaceX Targets October 13 for Starship 5th Flight Test & Historic Booster Catch Attempt

SpaceX's is gearing up for its fifth flight test of Starship, which "could take place as early as October 13, pending regulatory approval". The highly anticipated launch window opens at 7:00 a.m. CT.

Flight 4 Successes

Flight 4 marked a major milestone for SpaceX and Starship, demonstrating a successful ascent and the first-ever booster soft-landing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Starship also made it through a dazzling reentry before completing its landing burn and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

The entire mission was hailed as a triumph, and each new flight test builds upon the knowledge gained from previous tests.

Flight 5 Objectives: Booster Catch and Starship Reentry

The upcoming fifth test flight sets the bar even higher, with a major objective being the first-ever return to launch site and catch of the Super Heavy booster. Engineers have been working on this ambitious goal for years, and SpaceX has upgraded hardware and software across the booster, Starship, and the launch and catch tower infrastructure at Starbase.

The other key goal will be Starship’s reentry and landing burn, aiming for another controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

These tests are critical to demonstrating full and rapid reusability, a cornerstone of SpaceX's vision for future space exploration.

Extensive Upgrades and Safety Measures

Leading up to this test, SpaceX has implemented extensive upgrades, particularly to Starship’s heatshield. Over 12,000 hours were spent replacing the spacecraft’s entire thermal protection system with new-generation tiles, a backup ablative layer, and additional protections to ensure safer and more efficient reentry.

Safety remains a top priority. A booster return will only be attempted if conditions are right, with thousands of vehicle and pad criteria needing to be met before a return and catch is attempted. If any system is deemed unhealthy, or if a manual command is not sent by the flight director, the booster will default to a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

Sonic Boom and Booster Catch Attempt

Should the Super Heavy booster successfully return, it will slow from supersonic speeds, creating audible sonic booms in the landing zone area. This phenomenon is expected to resemble thunder and will vary depending on weather conditions and distance from the landing site.

The ultimate goal is to safely catch the booster, marking another giant leap toward SpaceX’s reusable spacecraft design.

Countdown to Liftoff

T-01:15:00 - SpaceX Flight Director conducts poll and verifies GO for propellant load

T-00:49:50 - Ship fuel (liquid methane) load underway

T-00:48:40 - Ship LOX (liquid oxygen) load underway

T-00:40:40 - Booster fuel load underway

T-00:34:03 - Booster LOX load underway

T-00:19:40 - Raptor begins engine chill on booster and ship

T-00:03:20 - Ship propellant load complete

T-00:02:50 - Booster propellant load complete

T-00:00:30 - SpaceX Flight Director verifies GO for launch

T-00:00:10 - Flame deflector activation

T-00:00:03 - Raptor ignition sequence begins

T-00:00:00 - Liftoff! Excitement guaranteed!

Flight 5 Timeline

Once liftoff occurs, the mission will unfold in several crucial stages:

T+00:00:02 - Liftoff

T+00:01:02 - Max Q (peak mechanical stress on the rocket)

T+00:02:33 - Super Heavy MECO (Main Engine Cut Off)

T+00:02:41 - Hot-staging (Starship Raptor ignition and stage separation)

T+00:02:48 - Super Heavy boostback burn start

T+00:03:41 - Super Heavy boostback burn shutdown

T+00:03:43 - Hot-stage jettison

T+00:06:08 - Super Heavy is supersonic

T+00:06:33 - Super Heavy landing burn start

T+00:06:50 - Super Heavy splashdown (if no catch attempt)

T+00:06:56 - Super Heavy landing burn shutdown and catch attempt

T+00:08:27 - Starship engine cutoff

T+00:48:03 - Starship reentry

T+01:02:34 - Starship becomes transonic

T+01:03:43 - Starship becomes subsonic

T+01:05:15 - Landing flip maneuver

T+01:05:20 - Starship landing burn

T+01:05:34 - An exciting landing in the Indian Ocean!

The Road to Full Reusability

Each Starship test is another opportunity for SpaceX to refine the spacecraft’s systems and operations.

Flight 5 will play a pivotal role in proving the viability of full reusability, a key element in SpaceX's mission to revolutionize space access. By pushing the limits of its hardware and software, SpaceX is rapidly progressing towards turning Starship into a game-changing vehicle for space exploration.

Join us LIVE on The Launch Pad Network youtube channel for full countdown to launch coverage including real-time updates on this monumental flight test!