SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 4

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Starship integrated flight test 4
Mission typeFlight test
OperatorSpaceX
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftStarship S29, Super Heavy B11
Start of mission
Launch dateNET May 2024
RocketStarship
Launch siteStarbase
ContractorSpaceX
← IFT-3
IFT-5 →
 

SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 4 (IFT-4) will be the fourth integrated flight test of a prototype Starship launch vehicle. The prototype vehicles planned to be flown are the Ship 29 upper-stage and Booster 11.[1][2]

SpaceX is expecting to perform the flight test in May 2024.[3]

The ultimate test objectives of this flight are for the Super Heavy booster to simulate a landing at a "virtual tower" just above the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, and for Starship to relight its Raptor engines in space as well as survive peak heating during atmospheric re-entry.[4]

Background[edit]

Further information: SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 3 § Aftermath

Development prior to launch[edit]

After the third test flight (IFT-3) in March 2024 ended in the destruction of the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft, a SpaceX-led mishap investigation overseen by the FAA was triggered. The FAA stated that a license modification may be needed to incorporate corrective actions and meet other requirements.[5] Both approval of SpaceX's final report on the investigation and a completed license modification are required for a launch license to be granted for IFT-4.[6] The communications license necessary for flight 4 was granted by the Federal Communications Commission on April 18.[7] In late April, a NASA official confirmed SpaceX remained on track for the fourth test flight to occur in May 2024.[8] SpaceX aims to attempt a booster landing with the tower arms as soon as IFT-5 if the virtual landing is successful during IFT-4.[9]

Vehicle testing ahead of launch[edit]

See also: SpaceX Super Heavy § B9-B12, and SpaceX Starship (spacecraft) § Ship 28 – Ship 32

After IFT-3, Ship 29 was lifted onto Suborbital Pad B for 3 static fire tests in late March 2024, and was later returned to the High Bay for pre-flight modifications. Booster 11 conducted a 33-engine static-fire on Orbital Launch Mount A on April 5, and was rolled back to Mega Bay 1 afterwards for modifications. B11's vented interstage was later installed in early May.[10] B11 returned to the launch site on May 11.[11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "SpaceX Revving Up for Starship Flight 3: | Starbase Update". NASASpaceFlight. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Bergin, Chris [@NASASpaceflight] (March 7, 2024). "We are live with testing of Ship 29, which is the upper stage of the fourth Starship Flight Test" (Tweet). Retrieved May 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Zafar, Ramish (April 26, 2024). "SpaceX's Fourth Starship IFT-4 Test Is On Track For May Reveals NASA Official". Wccftech. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Davenport, Justin (April 19, 2024). "As IFT-4 prepares for launch, Starship's future is coming into focus". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  5. ^ "FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents". FAA. March 14, 2024. March 14, 2024, Commercial Space / Boca Chica, Texas. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "Marcia Smith on X: "At media bfg at Space Symp now, FAA/AST's..."". X. April 10, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "License granted: Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dates: 04/25/2024-10/25/2024 Purpose: Launch vehicle communications for test flight mission launching from Starbase, TX".
  8. ^ Beil, Adrian (April 28, 2024). "NASA Updates on Starship Refueling, as SpaceX Prepares Flight 4 of Starship". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  9. ^ Bergin, Chris (April 6, 2024). "Some interesting notes". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  10. ^ Weber, Ryan (May 5, 2024). "Ship 30 set to Static Fire next week as Flight 4 Preparations Continue". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  11. ^ SpaceX Rolls Out Booster 11 for Fourth Starship Flight Test Campaign. Retrieved May 11, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
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