SpaceX_Starship_integrated_flight_test_4

SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 4

SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 4

Fourth launch of SpaceX Starship

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.[2][3]

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SpaceX is expecting to perform the flight test in late May or early June 2024.[4]

The main 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.[5]

Background

Further information: SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 3 § Aftermath

Development prior to launch

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.[6] 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.[7] The communications license necessary for flight 4 was granted by the Federal Communications Commission on April 18.[8] In late April, a NASA official confirmed SpaceX remained on track for the fourth test flight to occur in May 2024.[9] 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.[10] On May 17, 2024, SpaceX asked that the FAA to make a public safety determination regarding the IFT-3 mishap event, which would allow SpaceX to launch the test flight while the mishap investigation is in progress if determined there was no public safety danger.[11]

Vehicle testing ahead of launch

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.[12] B11 returned to the launch site on May 11,[13] while S29 returned to the launch site on May 12. [14] S29 was lifted onto B11 on May 15,[15] followed by a partial Wet Dress Rehearsal on May 16.[16]Full WDR occurred on May 20.[17]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-fourth-test-flight-june-2024-elon-musk
  2. [2]
    "SpaceX Revving Up for Starship Flight 3: | Starbase Update". NASASpaceFlight. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  3. [3]
    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.
  4. [4]
    Musk, Elon (April 26, 2024). "Tweet by Elon Musk regarding the Matter". X. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  5. [5]
    Davenport, Justin (April 19, 2024). "As IFT-4 prepares for launch, Starship's future is coming into focus". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  6. [6]
    "FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents". FAA. March 14, 2024. March 14, 2024, Commercial Space / Boca Chica, Texas. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  7. [7]
    "Marcia Smith on X: "At media bfg at Space Symp now, FAA/AST's..."". X. April 10, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  8. [8]
    "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".
  9. [9]
    Beil, Adrian (April 28, 2024). "NASA Updates on Starship Refueling, as SpaceX Prepares Flight 4 of Starship". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  10. [10]
    Bergin, Chris (April 6, 2024). "Some interesting notes". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  11. [11]
    Beil, Adrian (May 17, 2024). "Statement of FAA provided to @NASASpaceflight about SpaceX led investigation:". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  12. [12]
    Weber, Ryan (May 5, 2024). "Ship 30 set to Static Fire next week as Flight 4 Preparations Continue". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  13. [13]
    SpaceX Rolls Out Booster 11 for Fourth Starship Flight Test Campaign. Retrieved May 11, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  14. [14]
    SpaceX Rolls Out Ship 29 for Fourth Starship Flight Test Campaign. Retrieved May 13, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  15. [15]
    NASASpaceflight (May 15, 2024). Fullstack: SpaceX Stacks Ship 29 on Booster 11. Retrieved May 15, 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. [16]
    SpaceX Tests the Full Stack of the Fourth Starship Flight Test. Retrieved May 16, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  17. [17]
    NASASpaceflight (May 20, 2024). SpaceX Performs Wet Dress Rehearsal of Fourth Starship Flight Stack. Retrieved May 20, 2024 – via YouTube.
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