SpaceX starts planning for Starship 6 flight test

SpaceX Flight 5 is now launch-ready but waiting for an FAA license and in the meantime, the company is planning for Starship 6 flight tests.

Based on a previous report, the company could fly Starship 5 in late August or early September. The first and second stages have already completed static fire and other key tests to liftoff from the ground.

Since the FAA is still evaluating Starship’s launch status, SpaceX will be rehearsing booster catch with the launch tower. It will use a dummy booster model and open/close the arms to verify launch readiness. This will be the first time when SpaceX will recover the first stage.

SpaceX conducting Wet Dress Rehearsal for Starship Flight Test at Starbase Texas (Image Source – SpaceX)

Meanwhile, the company keeps on making new Starship vehicles to ramp up testing and clear design flaws. In the past four tests, SpaceX has solidified liftoff, hot-staging, orbit insertion, and first-stage landing.

The ship’s reentry into Earth’s atmosphere remains tricky due to maximum heat. During Flight 4, the spacecraft managed to make it to the splash zone but lost many tiles in the process. Also, the spacecraft landed a few miles away from the targeted site.

These two areas will be the key focus of the upcoming flights as the company wants to improve landing accuracy and tile stability.

However, the success and data from Starship Flight 5 will pave the way for a better sixth flight. It will help to improve the segments that performed well during the mission and which should have been improved to make the next mission a bigger success.

For now, there’s no launch date available for Starship 6.

(source)