SpaceX is poised to launch its powerful Starship on its fifth test flight, scheduled for Sunday, October 13th. The launch, initially planned for earlier in the week, was delayed due to licensing issues with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, SpaceX has confirmed the new launch time as 8 a.m. ET (5 a.m. PT). This flight promises to be even more ambitious than the previous four, with SpaceX attempting a groundbreaking feat: catching the Super Heavy booster after it returns to Earth.
The previous test flight successfully saw the Starship reach orbit and return to Earth largely intact. But this time, SpaceX will aim to capture the massive Super Heavy booster that launched the Starship. This bold move could revolutionize the Starship’s reusability, making it a more cost-effective and sustainable spacecraft for future space exploration.
The company plans to use a pair of giant mechanical arms, nicknamed “chopsticks,” to attempt to grab the booster as it comes in for a landing at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas. This would be the first time a Super Heavy booster has been caught, and a significant step towards making the Starship fully reusable.
SpaceX has already demonstrated the effectiveness of booster recovery with its Falcon 9 rocket, which routinely lands its boosters on the ocean or land for reuse. The Starship, however, is much larger and more powerful than the Falcon 9, with different boosters – making this attempt much more challenging.
SpaceX has invested significant time and resources into preparing for this challenging endeavor. The company has undertaken extensive upgrades to the hardware and software across the Super Heavy, Starship, and the launch and catch tower infrastructure at Starbase. SpaceX engineers have spent years preparing for the booster catch attempt, with technicians dedicating tens of thousands of hours to building the infrastructure.
SpaceX emphasizes safety in all its operations, stating that the return attempt will only be made if conditions are deemed safe for both the public and their team.
To watch the live stream of the fifth test flight, tune in at around 7:30 a.m. ET (4:30 a.m. PT) or follow the updates on SpaceX’s X account. Witness history in the making as SpaceX takes another bold step towards the future of space travel.
