Starship tries again

SpaceX, the world’s foremost space launch company by almost any measure, is attempting to launch Starship tomorrow, 6th June 2024. This launch is Integrated Flight Test Four (IFT-4). Each of the first three flight tests did better than the one before.

SpaceX is part way through the flight test program for its Starship launch vehicle.

IFT-1 cleared the pad (in more ways than one). It lifted off successfully, though very sluggishly and with significant engine failures and it actually blew away large quantities of concrete from the base of the launch platform. It flew to a considerable altitude but had to be destroyed in the upper atmosphere after four minutes of flight.

IFT-2 did a lot better. All engines performed well, the redesigned launch pad survived, and lift off was smooth and the ascent much faster. Starship separated from the Superheavy first stage, but both later failed. Starship flew for eight minutes on the planned trajectory.

IFT-3 was a fully successful launch, Starship separation was smooth and the engines fired to reach the intended trajectory (almost orbit but not quite), and Superheavy fired its engines for a return. Additionally, Starship opened its payload bay door and completed an internal propellant transfer test. But after those successes, both vehicles failed and were destroyed.

IFT-4 – Who knows? We may find out tomorrow or there may be a delay due to poor weather conditions or a last-minute glitch of some sort. When the launch takes place it’s likely that it will do better than IFT-3. Complete success would see Superheavy return to a chosen point above the sea near the launch site and make a catch landing on an imaginary launch tower before plunging into the water; Starship would fly safely to a re-entry point over the Indian Ocean, survive the descent, and possibly make a ‘landing’ attempt over the water.

Spaceflight enthusiasts world wide are all agog to see how it goes.

Assuming complete success of IFT-4, IFT-5 will push the envelope further, probably in mid-July (my best guess), possibly with a booster catch attempt and a Starship insertion into orbit. It might even attempt to release one or more Starlink satellites. But whatever IFT-5 attempts to do will depend on how many of IFT-4’s goals are achieved tomorrow (or whenever the flight takes place).

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