Key information
- This seventh flight test marks a big step forward with a new generation of spacecraft equipped with substantial improvements.
- The upper stage features a redesigned forward flap system and improvements to the propulsion system include a 25 percent increase in propellant volume and vacuum feed lines.
- A complete overhaul of the vehicle’s avionics system adds capacity and redundancy for increasingly complex missions such as propellant transfer and return of the craft to the launch site.
The launch of Starship’s seventh flight test is scheduled for Monday, January 13 at the earliest. A live webcast will begin approximately 35 minutes before liftoff, accessible via SpaceX’s X platform (@SpaceX) and the recently launched X TV app. The launch window opens at 4 p.m. (French time). As with all development testing, the schedule is subject to change; updates will be provided through this channel and on our X account.
This flight test marks a significant step forward with a new generation of vessel with substantial improvements. It aims to achieve Starship’s first payload deployment, conduct multiple re-entry experiments focused on recovery and reuse of the ship, and execute the launch and return of the Super Heavy booster.
Key improvements in this latest version
Several important improvements have been made to this latest version of Starship. The upper stage now features a redesigned forward flap system, which has been reduced in size and moved toward the end to reduce heat exposure during reentry. These changes simplify the mechanisms and protection tiles. Propulsion system improvements include a 25 percent increase in propellant volume, vacuum feed lines, a new fuel feed line system for Raptor vacuum engines, and an avionics module improved propulsion system that enhances vehicle control and sensor reading capabilities. The heat shield includes next generation tiles with a backup layer to mitigate potential damage.
The complete overhaul of the vehicle’s avionics system adds capacity and redundancy for increasingly complex missions such as propellant transfer and return of the craft to the launch site. These include a more advanced flight computer and integrated antennas combining functionality for Starlink, GNSS and backup RF communications. The system includes an updated design of inertial navigation and star tracking sensors. Intelligent batteries and power units are also integrated, distributing both data and 2.7 MW of power throughout the vessel. More than 30 onboard cameras provide real-time insight into hardware performance in flight. Using Starlink connectivity, Starship can stream more than 120 Mbps of high-definition video and telemetry throughout its mission, enabling rapid iteration and improvement of all systems.
Spaceflight goals and experiments
During its spaceflight, Starship will deploy ten Starlink simulators, similar in size and weight to next-generation Starlink satellites. This is the first operational satellite deployment exercise for Starship. There are also plans to reignite a single Raptor engine in space. The flight test will include several experiments aimed at returning Starship to the launch site and safely capturing it. This will include testing vulnerable areas by removing tiles from the upper floor, evaluating other materials for protection against reentry into the atmosphere with several metal tile options (including one with active cooling) , and install non-structural connections on the sides of the vehicle to evaluate thermal performance. The experiment will also feature a modified reentry profile designed to intentionally stress the structural limits of the flaps at maximum inlet dynamic pressure.
The Super Heavy booster, which uses flight-proven hardware for the first time, will include a Raptor engine from Starship’s fifth flight test. Improvements to the launch and reception tower enhance the reliability of propellant capture, including sensor guards on the tower wands that were damaged in previous launches.
Return and capture criteria
Specific criteria must be met for the launcher and tower to safely return and capture the Super Heavy launcher. These include healthy systems, final flight director manual control, and automated health checks showing acceptable conditions. If these conditions are not met, the launcher will default to a trajectory that allows for a landing burn and a soft water landing in the Gulf of Mexico. Safety remains paramount in this process, to ensure the safety of the public and the team. The returning launcher will decelerate from supersonic speeds, generating sonic booms audible in the surrounding area.
The coming year promises transformative advances for Starship, aimed at enabling full system reuse and facilitating increasingly ambitious missions as we progress toward sending humans and cargo into Earth orbit, on the Moon and on Mars.
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