Starship flight test 2
{{Short description|Second launch of SpaceX Starship}}{{about|the second flight test of the Starship+Super Heavy vehicle|other launches of Starship|List of Starship launches}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{infobox spaceflight
| name = Starship flight test 2
| names_list = Integrated Flight Test-2
| image = Starship-IFT2-ascent (cropped).jpg
| image_caption = Flight 2 vehicle ascent
| mission_type = Flight test
| operator = SpaceX
| mission_duration = 8 minutes, 5 seconds (achieved)
90 minutes (planned)
| orbits_completed = 0
<1 (planned)
| spacecraft = Starship Ship 25
| spacecraft_type = Starship
| manufacturer = SpaceX
| launch_date = {{launch time|November 18, 2023|13|02|50|CST|net=no}}
| launch_rocket = Super Heavy (B9)
| launch_site = Starbase, OLP-A
| destroyed = {{launch time|November 18, 2023|13|10|55|CST|unlink=yes|net=no}}{{cite web |url=https://myrgv.com/publications/the-monitor/2024/02/27/faa-demands-17-corrective-actions-from-spacex-in-starship-mishap-investigation/ |title=FAA demands 17 ‘corrective actions’ from SpaceX in Starship mishap investigation |last=Clark |first=Steve |date=February 27, 2024 |website=The Monitor |publisher=AIM Media Texas |access-date=March 13, 2024 }}
| orbit_regime = Transatmospheric Earth orbit (planned){{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxnPFOV9jU&t=263s |title=Starship's First Flight Trajectory Revealed! Where Will it Land? {{!}} SpaceX Boca Chica |date=2023-04-06 |last=NASASpaceflight |time=4:23 |access-date=2025-02-25 |via=YouTube}}
| orbit_periapsis = {{nowrap|-{{cvt|1750|km}} (achieved){{Cite web |url=https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.827.txt |title=Jonathan's Space Report No. 827 |last=McDowell |first=Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=December 15, 2023 |website=Jonathan's Space Report |access-date=January 6, 2024 |format=TXT |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227023423/https://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.827.txt |url-status=live }}}}
{{cvt|50|km}} (planned)
| orbit_apoapsis = {{cvt|149|km}} (achieved){{Cite AV media |people=SpaceX |title=Starship's Second Flight Test |medium=Twitter Broadcast |location=Starbase, TX |date=November 18, 2023 |time=46:07 |url=https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1dRKZEWQvrXxB}}
| insignia = Starship flight test 2 patch.jpg
| insignia_caption = Mission patch
| programme = SpaceX Starship flight tests
| previous_mission = Flight 1
| next_mission = Flight 3
}}
File:Starship IFT2 NASA Video 2 Part 1.webm
Starship flight test 2 was the second flight test of the SpaceX Starship launch vehicle. SpaceX performed the flight test on November 18, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=November 16, 2023 |title=SpaceX's 2nd Starship launch on Nov. 18: How it will work |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-second-starship-launch-explainer |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116195941/https://www.space.com/spacex-second-starship-launch-explainer |url-status=live }} The mission's primary objectives were for the vehicle to hot stage—a new addition to Starship's flight profile—followed by the second stage attaining a near-orbital trajectory with a controlled reentry over the Pacific Ocean, while the booster does a boostback burn with a propulsive splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-super-heavy-starship-launch-license-test-friday/ |title=With launch license in hand, SpaceX plans second test flight of Starship rocket Saturday |last=Harwood|first=William |date=November 15, 2023 |work=CBS News |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127215615/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-super-heavy-starship-launch-license-test-friday/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6pdg0j69d2o |title=Elon Musk's Starship rocket to make second flight |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |date=November 18, 2023 |work=BBC News |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128025640/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6pdg0j69d2o |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/faa-approves-license-second-launch-spacex-starship-super-heavy-2023-11-15/ |title=US FAA okays SpaceX license for second launch of Starship Super Heavy |last=Roulette |first=Joey |date=November 15, 2023 |website=Reuters |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115232258/https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/faa-approves-license-second-launch-spacex-starship-super-heavy-2023-11-15/ |url-status=live }}
The vehicle successfully lifted off under the power of all 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster and made it through stage separation. The booster was planned to land on the Gulf of Mexico, but experienced multiple engine failures and exploded during its boostback burn. The Starship second stage continued to accelerate for over 8 minutes, reaching an altitude of {{cvt|149|km}}. Towards the end of the second stage burn the Ship vented excess liquid oxygen, resulting in a fire in its aft section and loss of the vehicle.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement confirming that an anomaly had occurred and that there were no reports of public property damage or injuries.{{Cite tweet|number=1725890315251228682|user=FAANews|title=FAA IFT-2 Anomaly Statement|author=Federal Aviation Administration|author-link=Federal Aviation Administration}} The Federal Communications Commission considered the launch as a failure and used this as a rationale for rejecting SpaceX's Starlink service as eligible for large US rural broadband internet subsidies.{{Cite web |last=Coldewey |first=Devin |website=TechCrunch |date=December 12, 2023 |title=FCC issues final denial of $885M Starlink subsidy |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/12/fcc-issues-final-denial-of-885m-starlink-subsidy/ |access-date=December 18, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220085704/https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/12/fcc-issues-final-denial-of-885m-starlink-subsidy/ |url-status=live }} Shortly after the launch, SpaceX made a statement on their website saying that "success comes from what we learn" from a "test like this".{{Cite web |title=Starship Flight 2 |website=SpaceX |access-date=December 18, 2023 |quote=With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and this flight test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary. Data review is ongoing as we look for improvements to make for the next flight. |url=https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218051930/https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |url-status=live }}
Background
{{Further information|Starship flight test 1#Aftermath}}After the first test flight in April 2023, which ended in the destruction of the entire Starship vehicle, significant work was done on the launch mount to repair the damage it sustained during the test and to prevent future issues.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required SpaceX to conduct an investigation on the mishap, grounding Starship pending the outcome of their investigation.{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2023 |title=FAA Letter to SpaceX |last=Marcus |first=Ward |website=Federal Aviation Administration |url=https://www.faa.gov/media/70901 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908173658/https://www.faa.gov/media/70901 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |access-date=November 22, 2023 }}{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=April 24, 2023 |title=SpaceX Starship explosion spread particulate matter for miles |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/24/spacex-starship-explosion-spread-particulate-matter-for-miles.html |access-date=November 21, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425045623/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/24/spacex-starship-explosion-spread-particulate-matter-for-miles.html |url-status=live }} The FAA closed the investigation on September 8, 2023.{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2023 |title=FAA Closes SpaceX Starship Mishap Investigation |url=https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-closes-spacex-starship-mishap-investigation |website=Federal Aviation Administration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120235659/https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-closes-spacex-starship-mishap-investigation |archive-date=November 20, 2023}}{{Cite web |last1=Fisher |first1=Kristin |last2=Wattles |first2=Jackie |date=September 8, 2023 |title=FAA won't issue license for SpaceX mega-rocket test launch until 'corrective actions' implemented |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/08/world/faa-launch-license-starship-scn/index.html |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122184452/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/08/world/faa-launch-license-starship-scn/index.html |url-status=live }} The FWS fully concluded its environmental review on November 14,{{cite web |url=https://www.faa.gov/media/72791 |title=Reinitiation #1 of Interagency Consultation |date=November 14, 2023 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=March 13, 2023 }}{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Biological Monitoring Annual Report for the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site Construction and Seasonal Avian Monitoring |url=https://www.faa.gov/media/72781 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115161007/https://www.faa.gov/media/72781 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Federal Aviation Administration}} and the FAA gave its full approval for launch shortly after.
= Investigation prior to launch =
== FAA investigation ==
Following Starship's first flight failure, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required SpaceX to conduct an investigation on the mishap, grounding Starship pending the outcome of their investigation. The FAA would oversee the investigation, a standard practice when a vehicle was lost in flight.{{Cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |date=April 20, 2023 |title=SpaceX Starship: Elon Musk's big rocket explodes on test flight |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65334810 |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420202244/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65334810 |archive-date=April 20, 2023}} The agency grounded Starship flights during the investigation, also a standard practice,{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Steve |date=April 25, 2023 |title=FAA investigating Starship explosion |url=https://news.yahoo.com/faa-investigating-starship-explosion-204600279.html |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=The Brownsville Herald |via=Yahoo News |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426002236/https://news.yahoo.com/faa-investigating-starship-explosion-204600279.html |url-status=live }} and said that "a return to flight of the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle is based on the FAA determining that any system, process or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety" and that there were no reports of injuries or public property damage.{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Christian |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Unmanned Starship explodes over gulf after liftoff |language=en |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/04/20/starship-spacex-test-launch/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420153340/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/04/20/starship-spacex-test-launch/ |archive-date=April 20, 2023}}{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2023 |title=FAA Statements on Recent Aviation Accidents and Incidents {{!}} Federal Aviation Administration |url=https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements |access-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423124613/https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements |archive-date=April 23, 2023 }} The FAA also announced that it would monitor the cleanup, which included the standard removal of launch debris from "sensitive habitats".{{Cite web|title=FAA Monitoring SpaceX's Clean-Up After Starship Launch|url=https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/faa-monitoring-spacexs-clean-up-after-starship-launch/|work=SpacePolicyOnline.com|first=Marcia|last=Smith|date=April 21, 2023|access-date=April 26, 2023|language=en-US|archive-date=April 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426002647/https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/faa-monitoring-spacexs-clean-up-after-starship-launch/|url-status=live}} On May 15, SpaceX filed a request for FCC approval for a second flight between June 15 and December 15, using Booster 9 and Ship 25.{{cite web |url=https://observer.com/2023/05/spacex-starship-orbital-test-date/ |title=SpaceX Sets Possible Dates for Starship's Second Orbital Test Launch |last=Cao |first=Sissi |website=The New York Observer |date=May 17, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-date=June 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604120322/https://observer.com/2023/05/spacex-starship-orbital-test-date/ |url-status=live }} In August, SpaceX submitted an initial mishap report to the FAA for review and approval.{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=August 16, 2023 |title=SpaceX submits Starship mishap report to the FAA |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-submits-starship-mishap-report-faa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119010633/https://www.space.com/spacex-submits-starship-mishap-report-faa |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=Space.com |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=Let the review begin—SpaceX takes another step toward launching Starship again |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/let-the-review-begin-spacex-takes-another-step-toward-launching-starship-again/ |website=Ars Technica |access-date=August 16, 2023 |date=August 15, 2023 |ref=ars_review |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816042401/https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/let-the-review-begin-spacex-takes-another-step-toward-launching-starship-again/ |url-status=live }}
The FAA stated in September 2023
Following the launch, the FAA [...] required SpaceX to conduct a mishap investigation in accordance with its approved mishap plan under FAA oversight. The FAA conducted a final review of the mishap report, dated August 21, 2023 . The primary focus of this review was to ensure [...] the identification of root cause(s) and implementation of corrective actions to avoid a recurrence of the event. The FAA has been provided with sufficient information and accepts the root causes and corrective actions described in the mishap report. Consequently, the FAA considers the mishap investigation that SpaceX was required to complete to be concluded.Following SpaceX's final report, the FAA closed the investigation on September 8, 2023. In the same statement, FAA officials emphasized that "The closure of the mishap investigation does not signal an immediate resumption of Starship launches at Boca Chica."{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=September 8, 2023 |title=FAA closes investigation of SpaceX's Starship rocket launch mishap, 63 fixes needed |url=https://www.space.com/faa-closes-spacex-starship-mishap-investigation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115215356/https://www.space.com/faa-closes-spacex-starship-mishap-investigation |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Space.com}} And that SpaceX first had to "implement all corrective actions that impact public safety" and applied for a "license modification from the FAA" that addresses the FAA's "safety and other environmental regulatory requirements". The FAA also announced that the full investigatory report would not be released due to confidential contents including export control information.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/09/08/faa-starship-grounded-corrective-action.html|title=FAA orders Musk's SpaceX to take 63 corrective actions on Starship, keeps rocket grounded|first=Lora|last=Kolodny|date=September 8, 2023|access-date=September 8, 2023|work=CNBC|archive-date=September 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908153335/https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/09/08/faa-starship-grounded-corrective-action.html|url-status=live}}The final mishap investigation report [submitted by SpaceX in August, as part of the investigation conducted by SpaceX and required by the FAA ] cited a total of sixty-three (63) corrective actions for SpaceX to implement. These included actions to address redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety critical.
Prior to Starship's second flight, SpaceX's vice president and ex-NASA engineer Bill Gerstenmaier made statements at the U.S. Senate on the importance of innovation in light of "strategic competition from state actors like China".{{Cite web |title=Giant leap for China in moon race as US rocket fails to get off the ground |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3238607/giant-leap-china-moon-race-spacex-struggles-get-its-starship-rocket-ground |last=Xin |first=Ling |date=October 21, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021121353/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3238607/giant-leap-china-moon-race-spacex-struggles-get-its-starship-rocket-ground |archive-date=October 21, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Wattles |first1=Jackie |last2=Fisher |first2=Kristin |date=October 18, 2023 |title=SpaceX slams regulatory 'headwinds' for holding up Starship, risking US dominance in space |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/world/spacex-testimony-senate-faa-regulations-scn/index.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112203901/https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/world/spacex-testimony-senate-faa-regulations-scn/index.html |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Einhorn |first=Bruce |date=November 17, 2023 |title=China's rivalry with Musk's SpaceX moves to even lower orbit |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/11/17/tech/china-rivalry-musk-spacex/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112204839/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/11/17/tech/china-rivalry-musk-spacex/ |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}} He said SpaceX was under a contract with NASA to use Starship to land American astronauts on the moon before China does, and that the Starship test flights campaign was being held up by "regulatory headwinds and unnecessary bureaucracy" unrelated to public safety.{{Cite web |title=SpaceX Warns Government Regulations Slowing Starship, Could Let China Get Ahead |url=https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/spacex-warns-government-regulations-slowing-starship-could-let-china-get-ahead/ |last=Smith |first=Marcia |date=October 18, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112204652/https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/spacex-warns-government-regulations-slowing-starship-could-let-china-get-ahead/ |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=SpacePolicyOnline.com |language=en-US}}
== FWS review ==
By September 2023, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) had not yet started a formal review of SpaceX's modifications, and based on the 135 day review period, the launch could have been postponed to NET 2024.{{cite news |author=Dvorsky |first=George |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Environmental Scrutiny May Push SpaceX's Second Starship Launch to Next Year |publisher=Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/environmental-review-delay-spacex-starship-launch-1850853128 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919194421/https://gizmodo.com/environmental-review-delay-spacex-starship-launch-1850853128 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author=Grush |first1=Loren |last2=Hull |first2=Dana |date=September 18, 2023 |title=SpaceX's Starship Still Needs Wildlife Agency Review to Resume Launch |publisher=BNN Bloomberg |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/spacex-s-starship-still-needs-wildlife-agency-review-to-resume-launch-1.1973066 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920200522/https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/spacex-s-starship-still-needs-wildlife-agency-review-to-resume-launch-1.1973066 |url-status=live }} The Federal Aviation Administration received the final biological assessment from the FWS.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} William H. Gerstenmaier, SpaceX's Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, called on the FAA to increase licensing staff.{{cite news |author=Robinson-Smith |first=Will |date=October 18, 2023 |title=SpaceX battles regulatory process that could hold up Starship test flight for months |work=Spaceflight Now |publisher= |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/10/18/spacex-battles-regulatory-process-that-could-hold-up-starship-test-flight-for-months/ |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018150328/https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/10/18/spacex-battles-regulatory-process-that-could-hold-up-starship-test-flight-for-months/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author=Berger |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Berger (meteorologist) |date=October 17, 2023 |title=Citing slow Starship reviews, SpaceX urges FAA to double licensing staff |work=Ars Technica |publisher= |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/10/citing-slow-starship-reviews-spacex-urges-faa-to-double-licensing-staff/ |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018000657/https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/10/citing-slow-starship-reviews-spacex-urges-faa-to-double-licensing-staff/ |url-status=live }} On October 19, 2023, the FWS surveyed the area around Starbase and the consultation with the FAA has been extended into November.{{cite tweet|number=1715052447737979039|user=LabPadre|title=Fish and Wildlife Service is surveying the area around the Launch Site. Come tune in and watch live|author=LabPadre Space|date=October 19, 2023|access-date=October 19, 2023}}{{cite news |author=Davenport |first=Christian |date=October 17, 2023 |title=SpaceX to the FAA: The industry needs you to move faster |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/17/spacex-congress-licenses-faa-starship/ |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017182022/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/17/spacex-congress-licenses-faa-starship/ |url-status=live }} The FWS reviewed the changes to the launch pad, especially the water deluge system.{{cite web |author=Dvorsky |first=George |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Review of SpaceX Starship's Water Deluge System Critical to Next Launch |url=https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starship-environmental-review-water-deluge-1850966405 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |publisher= |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029232151/https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starship-environmental-review-water-deluge-1850966405 |url-status=live }} By October 31, 2023, the FAA had concluded the safety review portion of the launch license.{{Cite tweet|number=1719398989156544582|user=wapodavenport|title=FAA says it has completed the safety review ahead of the next SpaceX Starship launch but still waiting on an environmental review by Fish and Wildlife.|first=Christian|last=Davenport|date=October 31, 2023|access-date=October 31, 2023}}{{Cite news |date=October 31, 2023 |title=FAA completes safety review of SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy license |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/faa-completes-safety-review-spacex-starship-super-heavy-license-2023-10-31/ |access-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104171001/https://www.reuters.com/technology/faa-completes-safety-review-spacex-starship-super-heavy-license-2023-10-31/ |url-status=live }}
= Changes from the previous flight =
After the first test flight in April 2023 ended in the destruction of the Starship vehicle,{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Starship lifts off on first integrated test flight, breaks apart minutes later |url=https://spacenews.com/starship-lifts-off-on-first-integrated-test-flight-breaks-apart-minutes-later/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119080816/https://spacenews.com/starship-lifts-off-on-first-integrated-test-flight-breaks-apart-minutes-later/ |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=April 26, 2023 |work=SpaceNews}} significant work was done on the launch mount to repair the damage it sustained during the test and to prevent future issues. The foundation of the launch tower was reinforced and a steel water deluge flame deflector was built under the launch mount.{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=July 28, 2023 |title=SpaceX hasn't obtained environmental permits for 'flame deflector' system it's testing in Texas |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/28/spacex-is-testing-a-flame-deflector-for-starship-without-permits.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007041738/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/28/spacex-is-testing-a-flame-deflector-for-starship-without-permits.html |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=September 1, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}} Ship 25 was rolled to the suborbital launch site in May 2023 and underwent spin prime and static fire testing ahead of flight.{{Cite web |last=Romera |first=Alejandro Alcantarilla |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Ship 25 begins engine testing as Starship launch pad work continues |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/06/ship-25-engine-testing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705115540/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/06/ship-25-engine-testing/ |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |access-date=November 21, 2023 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}} Once that was completed, Booster 9 was rolled to the launch site to undergo cryogenic proof testing, spin primes and static fires of its set of engines. By November 15, 2023, Ship 25 was stacked onto B9 for launch.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_FzncBgq0 |title=Starship Receives License for Launch! |language=en |time=3:00:00 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115230430/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_FzncBgq0 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}
On November 14, 2023, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) concluded its environmental review. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the flight its launch license on November 15, 2023.
Significant changes implemented by SpaceX compared to the previous flight include an expansion of the Super Heavy's fire suppression system in order to mitigate any potential engine bay fires.{{cite web |url=https://www.spacex.com/updates/ |title=SpaceX - Updates |date=February 26, 2024 |website=SpaceX |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227030926/https://www.spacex.com/updates/ |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=March 13, 2024 }} SpaceX re-qualified their autonomous flight safety system, which had malfunctioned during the first flight.{{Cite web |last=O'Callaghan |first=Jonathan |date=October 1, 2023 |title=Termination shock |url=https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/features/termination-shock/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022181656/https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/features/termination-shock/ |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |access-date=November 18, 2023 |website=Aerospace America |language=en-US}}
Other changes unrelated to the previous flights include a hot stage separation system in which Starship's second-stage engines ignite while Starship is still attached to the booster, pushing the two apart. SpaceX replaced the hydraulic systems of Super Heavy Raptor engines with thrust vector control driven by electric motors, citing fewer potential points of failure and more energy efficiency.
The orbital launch mount and pad system was reinforced in a way that, according to SpaceX, should prevent a recurrence of the pad foundation failure observed during the first flight test. SpaceX also added, and tested, a flame deflector for the launchpad.
Flight profile
The spacecraft flight plan was to lift off from SpaceX's Starbase facility along the south Texas coast, then conduct a partial orbit around Earth.{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=November 15, 2023 |title=SpaceX gets license for 2nd launch of giant Starship rocket |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-faa-license-second-starship-launch |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115235923/https://www.space.com/spacex-faa-license-second-starship-launch |url-status=live }} The Super Heavy had a planned boostback burn followed by a soft water landing in the Gulf of Mexico, similarly to a Falcon 9 performing a return to launch site landing (RTLS). The Starship spacecraft was then to re-enter the atmosphere and perform a water landing in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, without performing a landing burn.
= Flight timeline =
| class="wikitable collapsible"
!Time !Event{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2023 |title=Starship's Second Flight Test |url=https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |website=SpaceX |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118024832/https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023 }} !November 18, 2023 |
| −02:00:00
| Flight director conducts a poll and verifies go for propellant loading |{{Success|Go for propellant loading}} |
| −01:37:00
|Super Heavy propellant (liquid oxygen and liquid methane) load start |{{success}} |
| −01:17:00
|Starship fuel (liquid methane) load start |{{success}} |
| −01:13:00
|Starship oxidizer (liquid oxygen) load start |{{success}} |
| −00:19:40
|Booster engine chill |{{success}} |
| −00:00:10
|Flame deflector (water deluge system) activation |{{success}} |
| −00:00:03
|Booster engine ignition |{{success}} |
| +00:00:02
|Liftoff |{{success}} |
| +00:00:52
| Throttle down for max q during ascent (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) |{{success}} |
| +00:02:39
|Booster most engines cutoff (MECO) |{{success}} |
| +00:02:41
|Starship engine ignition and stage separation (hot-staging) |{{success}} |
| +00:02:53
|Booster boostback burn startup |{{partial failure}} |
| +00:03:47
|Booster boostback shutdown |{{failure}} |
| +00:06:18
|Booster is transonic |{{n/a}} |
| +00:06:30
|Booster landing burn startup |{{n/a}} |
| +00:06:48
|Booster landing burn shutdown |{{n/a}} |
| +00:08:33
|Starship engine cutoff (SECO) |{{failure}} |
| +01:17:21
|Starship atmospheric re-entry interface |{{n/a}} |
| +01:28:43
|Starship is transonic |{{n/a}} |
| +01:30:00
|Starship Pacific impact |{{n/a}} |
Launch analysis
On November 11, 2023, SpaceX announced that they were targeting a launch date of November 17, pending regulatory approval.{{Cite tweet|number=1723158118706839819|user=SpaceX|title=Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval → http://spacex.com/launches.|author=SpaceX|author-link=SpaceX|date=November 11, 2023}} On November 14, the FWS concluded its environmental review, and the FAA gave its approval for launch. On November 16, the flight was delayed one day, due to a grid fin actuator needing to be replaced on B9.{{Cite tweet|number=1725231694645461403|user=elonmusk|title=We need to replace a grid fin actuator, so launch is postponed to Saturday|first=Elon|last=Musk|author-link=Elon Musk|access-date=November 16, 2023}}
The first launch attempt of the second integrated flight test occurred on November 18 at 13:02 UTC (7:02 a.m. CST). Booster 9 and Ship 25 lifted off the pad.{{Cite web |last=Harwood |first=William |title=Super Heavy-Starship climbs high but falls short on second test flight |website=Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/11/18/super-heavy-starship-climbs-high-but-falls-short-on-second-test-flight/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118165728/https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/11/18/super-heavy-starship-climbs-high-but-falls-short-on-second-test-flight/ |url-status=live }} The rocket encountered maximum aerodynamic stress (Max q) with no anomalies reported. Starship executed a successful separation, powering down all but three of Super Heavy’s Raptor engines and successfully igniting the six second stage Raptor engines before separating the vehicles. File:SpaceX Starship Ship 25 debris re-entering the atmosphere.png's radar's correlation coefficient]]
Following stage separation, Super Heavy initiated its flip maneuver, and then its boostback burn: the flight computers sent commands to 13 of the vehicle’s 33 Raptor engines to propel the rocket toward its intended landing location. During this burn, several engines began shutting down before one engine failed, leading to the explosion of the booster. The Super Heavy vehicle breakup occurred over three and a half minutes into the flight at an altitude of ~90 km over the Gulf of Mexico.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2023 |title=SpaceX launches its giant new rocket but a pair of explosions ends the second test flight |last=Dunn |first=Marcia |url=https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-test-flight-launch-37c0893ddf605270b16a33ae64d69a85 |access-date=November 18, 2023 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120020601/https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-test-flight-launch-37c0893ddf605270b16a33ae64d69a85 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Skipper |first1=Joe |last2=Roulette |first2=Joey |date=November 18, 2023 |title=SpaceX Starship launch presumed failed minutes after reaching space |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/spacex-starship-launched-test-flight-texas-after-last-one-blew-up-2023-11-18/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123063309/https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/spacex-starship-launched-test-flight-texas-after-last-one-blew-up-2023-11-18/ |url-status=live }}
All Starship's six second stage Raptor engines powered the vehicle to an altitude of 148 km, above common boundaries of space, and a velocity of ~24,000 km/h, becoming the first Starship to reach outer space and nearly completing its full-duration burn.{{Cite web |last=Dinner |first=Josh |date=November 18, 2023 |title=SpaceX Starship megarocket launches on 2nd-ever test flight, explodes in 'rapid unscheduled disassembly' (video) |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-flight-launch-explodes |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120125753/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-flight-launch-explodes |url-status=live }}
Near the end of Starship's second stage burn, after over eight minutes of flight and prior to engine cutoff, telemetry was lost. SpaceX said that a safe command destroyed the second stage prior to achieving its planned orbit or attempting re-entry. According to astronomer Jonathan McDowell, at his predicted re-entry point, NOAA weather radar picked up a debris cloud a few hundred miles north of the Virgin Islands.{{Cite tweet|number=1725917544114974995|user=planet4589|title=Thanks to NOAA's Kenneth Howard for pointing me to this NOAA weather radar data showing a debris cloud exactly over my estimated Starship reentry point!|first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|author-link=Jonathan McDowell|date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120035113/https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1725917544114974995|archive-date=November 20, 2023}}
In January 2024, SpaceX said that because Starship carried no payload, they planned to vent excess liquid oxygen from the second stage near the end of the burn. The venting of that oxygen led to a fire and explosion. Elon Musk echoed the assessment, writing: "Flight 2 actually almost made it to orbit ... If it had a payload, it would have made it to orbit because the reason that it actually didn’t quite make it to orbit was we vented the liquid oxygen."{{cite news |title=SpaceX says propellant venting caused loss of second Starship |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-says-propellant-venting-caused-loss-of-second-starship/ |last=Foust|first=Jeff |work=SpaceNews |date=January 13, 2024 |access-date=January 14, 2024 }}
Upon the FAA's closure of the investigation on February 26, SpaceX elaborated on the cause of the accident thusly: At vehicle separation, Starship’s upper stage lit all six Raptor engines and flew a normal ascent until approximately seven minutes into the flight, when a planned vent of excess liquid oxygen propellant began. Additional propellant had been loaded on the spacecraft as a payload simulant and needed to be disposed of prior to reentry to meet required propellant mass targets at splashdown.
A leak in the aft section of the spacecraft that developed when the liquid oxygen vent was initiated resulted in a combustion event and subsequent fires that led to a loss of communication between the spacecraft’s flight computers. This resulted in a commanded shutdown of all six engines prior to completion of the ascent burn, followed by the Autonomous Flight Safety System detecting a mission rule violation and performing flight termination, leading to vehicle breakup at an altitude of ~150 km and a velocity of ~24,000 km/h, becoming the first Starship to reach outer space.
On the booster's fate, SpaceX stated that the most likely root cause was filter blockages where liquid oxygen is supplied to the engines, leading to a loss of inlet pressure in the engines' oxidizer turbopumps that eventually resulted in one engine failing in such a manner that it resulted in the loss of the vehicle. This led SpaceX to implement hardware changes inside the booster oxidizer tanks related to propellant filtration and reliability.
Aftermath
SpaceX and Cameron County reopened the road to the launch site a few hours after the launch. This was noted by CNN as a faster reopening than during the first flight attempt, when it remained closed for two days.{{Cite web |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=November 18, 2023 |title=Live updates: SpaceX Starship rocket lost in second test flight |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/spacex-starship-launch-scn/index.html |access-date=November 18, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118150906/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/spacex-starship-launch-scn/index.html |url-status=live }} NASA administrator Bill Nelson congratulated the teams involved in the test flight, and retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield called it a "very successful 2nd test flight" in a post on Twitter.{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=November 18, 2023 |title=NASA chief congratulates SpaceX on Starship's explosive 2nd launch test |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-launch-nasa-congratulations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120231619/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-second-test-launch-nasa-congratulations |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=Space.com |language=en}} SpaceX considered the mission a success.
Elon Musk later stated that the water deluge would not require any refurbishment for Starship flight test 3.{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=November 20, 2023 |title=SpaceX's epic Starship liftoff didn't damage launch pad, Elon Musk says |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-launch-pad-good-condition |access-date=November 21, 2023 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129132324/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-launch-pad-good-condition |url-status=live }} According to SpaceX, the water-cooled flame deflector and other pad upgrades performed as expected, requiring minimal post-launch work to be ready for upcoming vehicle tests and the next integrated flight test.
In December 2023 the Federal Communications Commission issued final denial of an $885 million Starlink subsidy because all attempted Starship launches "have failed".
At the time of the [Commission's Wireline Competition] Bureau's decision, Starship had not yet been launched. Indeed, even as of today [i.e. over a year later], Starship has not yet had a successful launch; all of its attempted launches have failed. Based on Starlink’s previous assertions about its plans to launch its second-generation satellites via Starship, and the information that was available at the time, the [Wireline Competition] Bureau necessarily considered Starlink’s continuing inability to successfully launch the Starship rocket when making predictive judgment about its ability to meet its RDOF obligations.
17 significant changes were made to the Starship vehicle, including upgrading the ship to an electric thrust-vector control system and delaying the ship LOX dump to after SECO.
SpaceX said the water-cooled flame deflector and other pad upgrades made after Starship’s first flight test had performed as expected, requiring "minimal post-launch work to be ready for vehicle tests and the next integrated flight test".
Following the flight test, SpaceX said it had led the investigation efforts with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA, and the National Transportation Safety Board.
References
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{{commonscat|SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 2}}
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Category:November 2023 in the United States