Starship flight test 5
{{Short description|Fifth launch of SpaceX Starship}}{{about|the fifth 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 5
| image = Starship Booster Return on Final Approach (54063904149).jpg
| image_caption = Booster 12 on final approach to the launch tower
| mission_type = Suborbital flight test
| mission_duration = {{time interval|October 13, 2024, 12:25:00|13 October 2024, 13:30:40|show=hms|sep=,}}
| operator = SpaceX
| suborbital_range =
| spacecraft = Starship Ship 30
| spacecraft_type = Starship
| manufacturer = SpaceX
| launch_date = {{launch time|October 13, 2024|12|25|00|CDT|net=no}}
| launch_rocket = Super Heavy (B12)
| launch_site = Starbase, OLP-A
| destroyed =
| landing_date = {{Unbulleted list
| Super Heavy: {{launch time|October 13, 2024|12|31|56|CDT|unlink=yes|net=no}}
| Ship: {{launch time|October 13, 2024|13|30|40|CDT|unlink=yes|net=no}}
}}
| landing_site = {{Unbulleted list
| Super Heavy: Starbase, OLP-A
| Ship: Indian Ocean
}}
| orbit_regime = Suborbital
| orbit_periapsis = {{cvt|-15|km}}
| orbit_apoapsis = {{cvt|213|km}}
| insignia = Starship flight test 5 patch.png
| insignia_caption = Mission patch
| programme = SpaceX Starship flight tests
| previous_mission = Flight 4
| next_mission = Flight 6
}}
Starship flight test 5 was the fifth flight test of a SpaceX Starship launch vehicle. SpaceX performed the flight test on October 13, 2024. The prototype vehicles flown were the Starship Ship 30 upper-stage and Super Heavy Booster 12.
After launching and delivering the Starship upper stage into a suborbital trajectory heading toward a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, the Super Heavy booster turned around and fired its Raptor engines to return to the launch site. As the booster approached the launch pad it slowed to a near hover and did a horizontal slide maneuver to line itself up with two massive "chopstick" arms on the launch tower, dubbed "Mechazilla." The arms then closed around the booster before the engines shut down.
The rocket launched on the morning of 13{{Nbsp}}October 2024, one day after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a launch permit that had been delayed since early August and after weeks of increasingly public feuding between SpaceX and the FAA.
Development prior to launch
= Technical development =
During a company all-hands in April 2024, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk expanded briefly on the goals of flight test 5, stating that the first tower landing could occur, depending on B11's virtual landing performance during the fourth flight test.{{Cite tweet |number=1776676390735163511 |user=nasaspaceflight |title=Some interesting notes |first=Chris |last=Bergin |date=April 6, 2024 |access-date=April 6, 2024}} In June, Musk stated the heatshield tiles on the flight 5 vehicle will be twice as strong along with a new ablative protection layer underneath.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvBXUlwLQ08&t=1196s |title=Looking Ahead To The Next Starship Flight |date=June 10, 2024 |time=19:56 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |via=YouTube |work=NASASpaceflight}} The process of removing the old Thermal Protection System began on June 11.{{Cite tweet |number=1800563250851164363 |user=starshipgazer |title=The removal of all of Starship 30's heatshield tiles has begun. |date=June 11, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024}} Multiple tests occurred with the hydraulic arms on the launch tower in preparation for the booster catch.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpc8Kcg8lNE&t=760s |title=SpaceX Gears Up for First Super Heavy Booster Catch |date=July 1, 2024 |time=12:40 |access-date=July 7, 2024 |via=YouTube |work=NASASpaceflight}}
= Vehicle testing ahead of launch =
Static fire testing of Ship 30 occurred in early May in preparation for flight 5.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENxjR--cVHg |title=SpaceX Static Fires Ship 30 in Preparation for the Fifth Starship Flight |date=2024-05-08 |last=NASASpaceflight |access-date=2025-02-28 |via=YouTube}} This was the last static fire conducted at the now-demolished Suborbital Pad B,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vryxbHvkmkM&t=190s |title=Booster 11 Lifted Onto the OLM for Pre-Launch Testing |date=May 12, 2024 |time=3:10 |work=NASASpaceflight |access-date=June 5, 2024 |via=YouTube}} as all subsequent tests use the static fire stand at Massey's Test Site.{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Ryan |date=2024-12-27 |title=Four flights in the books and major infrastructure upgrades headline 2024 for the Starship program |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/12/2024-starship-program/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}} Booster 12 moved to the launch pad on July 9.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX3Tfz30bts |title=SpaceX Rolls out Potential First Catch Booster – B12 |date=July 9, 2024 |work=NASASpaceflight |access-date=July 9, 2024 |via=YouTube}} The booster performed a spin prime test on July 12; it was the first time a spin prime test was performed since Booster 9 in August 2023.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKExuKk32_o |title=Booster 12 Conducts First Super Heavy Spin Prime Since Booster 9 |date=July 14, 2024 |work=NASASpaceflight |access-date=July 14, 2024 |via=YouTube}} A static fire of Booster 12 was completed on July 15 and Ship 30 static fire was conducted on July 26.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x7YjQAs4Vg&t=3258 |title=SpaceX Static Fires Booster 12 for Fifth Starship Flight Test |date=July 15, 2024 |work=NASASpaceflight |time=54:18 |access-date=July 15, 2024 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite tweet |number=1816965411876876757 |user=NASASpaceflight |title=Ship 30 fires up at Masseys ahead of Flight 5 of Starship |access-date=2024-07-26}} On September 21, S30 was stacked onto B12, with SpaceX claiming that this stack was for Flight 5, "pending regulatory approval".{{Cite tweet |number=1837613770736390558 |user=SpaceX |title=Starship stacked for Flight 5 and ready for launch |date=September 21, 2024 |access-date=September 21, 2024}}
= FAA dispute and environmental concerns =
On June 12, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that no mishap investigation would be required prior to the launch of flight 5.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/06/we-know-starship-can-fly-now-its-time-to-see-if-it-can-come-back-to-earth/3 |first=Stephen |last=Clark |date=June 4, 2024 |website=Ars Technica |title=We know Starship can fly—now it’s time to see if it can come back to Earth |access-date=October 13, 2024}} In anticipation of the fifth flight, SpaceX applied for a communications license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with a start date of July 19.{{Cite web |title=OET Special Temporary Authority Report |url=https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=initial&application_seq=135020&RequestTimeout=1000 |access-date=June 23, 2024 |website=apps.fcc.gov}} In early August, SpaceX claimed that both stages were ready to fly for flight test 5.
In September, SpaceX communicated that the FAA had shifted their license approval timeframe from later that month to November, and wrote about issues with the FAA's licensing processes for Starship flight tests. SpaceX claimed that government paperwork prevented it from flying Starship quickly to meet commitments to the Artemis program. In a statement to journalists, the FAA reiterated that the license authorizing Starship test flight 4 also allowed for multiple flights of the same vehicle configuration and mission profile. However, because SpaceX chose to modify both in an attempt to "catch" the Super Heavy booster through a return-to-launch-site maneuver, it triggered a more in-depth review because of the changed impact location of the hot stage ring and the sonic boom that would be generated.{{Cite tweet |number=1833960344886063318 |user=BCCarCounters |title=We asked the @FAANews about the recent @SpaceX update, regarding the timeline leading up to Flight 5. The FAA responded with a statement, about the timeline |first=Adrian |last=Beil |date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024}} The delay was described as being 60 days because of the required consultation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service for the sonic boom effects and also 60 days of consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service for the impact on ocean wildlife. This was repeated by the FAA on October 2.{{Cite tweet |number=1841565160210575816 |user=BCCarCounters |title=We asked the @FAANews about today´s published NOTMARs for Starship Flight 5. The FAA confirmed that the statement from September 11, still stands, and Starship Flight 5 is not expected before late November. |first=Adrian |last=Beil |date=October 2, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024}} Despite this, the FAA issued a license for the launch on October 12, without offering any explanation as to what prompted the change.{{Cite web |title=Dynamic Regulatory System |url=https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DRSDOCID173891218620231102140506.0001?modalOpened=true?modalOpened=true |access-date=October 12, 2024 |website=Federal Aviation Administration}}{{cite news |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=October 12, 2024 |title=SpaceX gets approval for Starship launch amid standoff with FAA |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/12/science/faa-spacex-starship-test-flight-5/index.html |access-date=October 12, 2024 |work=CNN}}
Mission summary
File:SpaceX Starship during IFT-5.jpg
File:SpaceX Starship booster landing approach IFT-5.jpg
The mission profile for flight test 5 differed from the previous flight. While Ship 30 splashed down in the Indian Ocean, as Ship 29 did, B12 shut off its engines thirteen seconds earlier and returned to the launch site for a catch.{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2024 |title=Starship's Fifth Flight Test |url=https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-5 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=SpaceX.com}}
After launching and delivering the Starship upper stage to an altitude of {{Convert|69|km|sp=us}} on a trajectory heading toward space, the Super Heavy booster flipped around and fired its Raptor engines to return to the launch site. As the booster approached the launch pad the launch mount reactivated its water deluge system to prevent destruction. The booster slowed to a near hover and did a horizontal slide maneuver to line itself up with two massive "chopstick" arms on the launch tower, dubbed "Mechazilla." The arms then closed around the booster before the engines shut down.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC87WmFN_As |title=SpaceX Launches Starship Flight 5 (and Catches A Booster) |date=October 13, 2024 |time=03:31:58 |access-date=October 23, 2024 |via=YouTube |work=NASASpaceflight}}
The upper stage Starship spacecraft reached an apogee of 212 km (132 mi) before a controlled water landing in the Indian Ocean. Video showed minor damage to the control flaps during re-entry, but despite this, it splashed down with high accuracy in the water near a pre-positioned buoy that captured footage of the splashdown. Ship 30, which was never intended to be recovered, erupted in a large fireball about 16 seconds after it hit the water.{{Cite web |last=McDowell |first=Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=October 25, 2024 |title=Jonathan's Space Report No. 838 |url=https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.838.txt |access-date=October 28, 2024 |website=planet4589.org}}
= Flight timeline =
| class="wikitable collapsible"
!Time !October 13, 2024 |
| style="text-align:right" |−01:15:00
|Flight director conducts a poll and verifies go for propellant loading |{{Success|Go for propellant loading}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:49:50
|Starship fuel (liquid methane) load start |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:48:40
|Starship oxidizer (liquid oxygen) load start |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:40:40
|Super Heavy fuel (liquid methane) load start |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:34:03
|Super Heavy oxidizer (liquid oxygen) load start |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:19:40
|Super Heavy and Starship engine chill |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:03:20
|Starship propellant load complete |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:02:50
|Super Heavy propellant load complete |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:00:30
|Flight director verifies go for launch |{{Success|Go for launch}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:00:10
|Flame deflector activation |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |−00:00:03
|Super Heavy engine ignition |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:00:02
|Liftoff |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:01:02
|Throttle down for max q during ascent (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:02:35
|Super Heavy most engines cutoff (MECO) |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:02:40
|Starship engine ignition and stage separation (hot-staging) |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:02:45
|Super Heavy boostback burn start |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:03:41
|Super Heavy boostback burn shutdown |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:03:43
|Hot-stage jettison |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:06:08
|Super Heavy is supersonic |{{N/A}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:06:30
|Super Heavy landing burn start |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:06:54
|Super Heavy landing burn shutdown and catch |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:08:27
|Starship engine cutoff (SECO) |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+00:48:03
|Starship atmospheric reentry |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+01:02:34
|Starship is transonic |{{N/A}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+01:03:43
|Starship is subsonic |{{N/A}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+01:05:15
|Starship landing flip |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+01:05:20
|Starship landing burn |{{Success}} |
| style="text-align:right" |+01:05:40
|Starship splashdown |{{Success}} |
Reactions
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised the flight stating "Congratulations to SpaceX on its successful booster catch and fifth Starship flight test today!".{{Cite web |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=October 13, 2024 |title=Highlights: SpaceX launches Starship test flight 5 |url=https://www.cnn.com/science/live-news/spacex-starship-launch-5-10-13-24/index.html |access-date=October 14, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}} Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield hailed the flight, declaring that "there was an enormous step forward in human capability today."{{Cite tweet|author=Chris Hadfield|author-link=Chris Hadfield|user=Cmdr_Hadfield|number=1845449476695068939|date=October 13, 2024 |title=There was an enormous step forward in human capability today. Makes me even more excited for our collective future. Congratulations to all @SpaceX!|access-date=October 14, 2024}}
Fellow aerospace manufacturers also congratulated SpaceX including Blue Origin,{{Cite tweet |number=1845443643894603981 |user=blueorigin |title=Congratulations! |date=October 13, 2024 |access-date=October 14, 2024}} Stoke Space,{{Cite tweet |number=1845445694326440231 |user=stoke_space |title=Congratulations! |date=October 13, 2024 |access-date=October 14, 2024}} and Rocket Factory Augsburg, with the latter commending the company's "incredible feat of engineering" and commenting that at its current pace, the European space industry has "no chance" of catching up to SpaceX.{{Cite tweet |user=rfa_space|number=1845808087594365287|date=October 14, 2024 |title=Congratulations to @SpaceX, what an incredible feat of engineering! Mars, here we come.|access-date=October 14, 2024}} André Loesekrug-Pietri, president of the Joint European Disruptive Initiative, made a similar statement, calling it "a huge slap in the face to the Europeans, who are leaving history".{{Cite web |date=October 16, 2024 |title=L'exploit de SpaceX, une « immense claque » pour les Européens |trans-title=SpaceX's feat, a "huge slap in the face" for Europeans |url=https://www.lepoint.fr/science/l-exploit-de-spacex-d-elon-musk-une-immense-claque-pour-les-europeens-16-10-2024-2572869_25.php#11 |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Le Point |language=fr}}
References
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{{commons category|SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 5}}
{{SpaceX}}