SpaceX flight testing in South Texas
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From: Peripatetic
VideoSpaceX has just conducted the static fire test of Flight 11 Starship (S38). This marked the last static fire at Pad A.
The Orbital Launch Mount was designed to support only booster static fires, but ironically, a ship became the last vehicle to be static-fired on it.
The Orbital Launch Mount was designed to support only booster static fires, but ironically, a ship became the last vehicle to be static-fired on it.
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From: Peripatetic
Starship Flight 11: Ship 38 has been destacked ahead of rolling back to the Production Site for final pre-launch work.
The current launch target is NET (No Earlier Than) October 6.
The current launch target is NET (No Earlier Than) October 6.
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From: Norfolk, UK
Was super impressed how quickly they flipped to using the OLM when they lost Massey's. Makes me think that this was a contingency they had planned for.
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From: Peripatetic
Super Heavy Booster 15-2 has been moved from megabay 1 to the rocket garden this morning ahead of upcoming Starship test flight 11.
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From: Peripatetic
STARSHIP FLIGHT 11: 1 Week Delay
The @USCG Local Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) now starts No Earlier Than October 13, at 18:15 CDT (23:15 UTC)
The @USCG Local Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) now starts No Earlier Than October 13, at 18:15 CDT (23:15 UTC)
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From: Peripatetic
https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-11
The eleventh flight test of Starship is preparing to launch as soon as Monday, October 13. The launch window will open at 6:15 p.m. CT.
A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app. As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to check in here and stay tuned to our X account for updates.
The upcoming flight will build on the successful demonstrations from Starship’s tenth flight test with flight experiments gathering data for the next generation Super Heavy booster, stress-testing Starship’s heatshield, and demonstrating maneuvers that will mimic the upper stage’s final approach for a future return to launch site.
The booster on this flight test previously flew on Flight 8 and will launch with 24 flight-proven Raptor engines. Its primary test objective will be demonstrating a unique landing burn engine configuration planned to be used on the next generation Super Heavy. It will attempt this while on a trajectory to an offshore landing point in the Gulf of America and will not return to the launch site for catch.
Super Heavy will ignite 13 engines at the start of the landing burn and then transition to a new configuration with five engines running for the divert phase. Previously done with three engines, the planned baseline for V3 Super Heavy will use five engines during the section of the burn responsible for fine-tuning the booster’s path, adding additional redundancy for spontaneous engine shutdowns. The booster will then transition to its three center engines for the end of the landing burn, entering a full hover while still above the ocean surface, followed by shutdown and dropping into the Gulf of America. The primary goal on the flight test is to measure the real-world vehicle dynamics as engines shut down while transitioning between the different phases.
The Starship upper stage will target multiple in-space objectives, including the deployment of eight Starlink simulators, similar in size to next-generation Starlink satellites. The Starlink simulators will be on the same suborbital trajectory as Starship and are expected to demise upon entry. A relight of a single Raptor engine while in space is also planned.
The flight test includes several experiments and operational changes focused on enabling Starship’s upper stage to return to the launch site on future flights. For reentry, tiles have been removed from Starship to intentionally stress-test vulnerable areas across the vehicle. Several of the missing tiles are in areas where tiles are bonded to the vehicle and do not have a backup ablative layer. To mimic the path a ship will take on future flights returning to Starbase, the final phase of Starship’s trajectory on Flight 11 includes a dynamic banking maneuver and will test subsonic guidance algorithms prior to a landing burn and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
The eleventh flight test of Starship is preparing to launch as soon as Monday, October 13. The launch window will open at 6:15 p.m. CT.
A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app. As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to check in here and stay tuned to our X account for updates.
The upcoming flight will build on the successful demonstrations from Starship’s tenth flight test with flight experiments gathering data for the next generation Super Heavy booster, stress-testing Starship’s heatshield, and demonstrating maneuvers that will mimic the upper stage’s final approach for a future return to launch site.
The booster on this flight test previously flew on Flight 8 and will launch with 24 flight-proven Raptor engines. Its primary test objective will be demonstrating a unique landing burn engine configuration planned to be used on the next generation Super Heavy. It will attempt this while on a trajectory to an offshore landing point in the Gulf of America and will not return to the launch site for catch.
Super Heavy will ignite 13 engines at the start of the landing burn and then transition to a new configuration with five engines running for the divert phase. Previously done with three engines, the planned baseline for V3 Super Heavy will use five engines during the section of the burn responsible for fine-tuning the booster’s path, adding additional redundancy for spontaneous engine shutdowns. The booster will then transition to its three center engines for the end of the landing burn, entering a full hover while still above the ocean surface, followed by shutdown and dropping into the Gulf of America. The primary goal on the flight test is to measure the real-world vehicle dynamics as engines shut down while transitioning between the different phases.
The Starship upper stage will target multiple in-space objectives, including the deployment of eight Starlink simulators, similar in size to next-generation Starlink satellites. The Starlink simulators will be on the same suborbital trajectory as Starship and are expected to demise upon entry. A relight of a single Raptor engine while in space is also planned.
The flight test includes several experiments and operational changes focused on enabling Starship’s upper stage to return to the launch site on future flights. For reentry, tiles have been removed from Starship to intentionally stress-test vulnerable areas across the vehicle. Several of the missing tiles are in areas where tiles are bonded to the vehicle and do not have a backup ablative layer. To mimic the path a ship will take on future flights returning to Starbase, the final phase of Starship’s trajectory on Flight 11 includes a dynamic banking maneuver and will test subsonic guidance algorithms prior to a landing burn and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
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From: Peripatetic
In depth look at the work in progress at Pad 2 - to be used for flight 12 and all other v3 launches thereafter, or at least until Pad 1 is replaced/upgraded to V3 standard.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025...ad-2-starbase/
SpaceX intensifies testing to ready Pad 2 at Starbase
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025...ad-2-starbase/
SpaceX intensifies testing to ready Pad 2 at Starbase
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From: Norfolk, UK
That revised engine config for RTLS burn is interesting. Was wondering if the Raptor 3 had a different throttle range than the earlier versions, but everything I can find says all models 40-100%. Bit surprised that's not changed - anyone found anything with more detail?
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From: Peripatetic
I wonder how much NASA would have spent on a hi-tech semi-submersible with a gyro-stabilised camera platform.....
Elon: Video The Starship landing video in the Indian Ocean was taken from a camera, bolted to a Starlink terminal, sitting in a kiddie paddling pool....
Elon: Video The Starship landing video in the Indian Ocean was taken from a camera, bolted to a Starlink terminal, sitting in a kiddie paddling pool....
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From: Peripatetic
Flight-proven Super Heavy booster moved to the pad at Starbase ahead of launch.
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From: Peripatetic
Starship 38 has rolled out of megabay 2 today for final rollout to the Starbase launch complex for stacking onto Super heavy booster 15-2 ahead of Starship test flight 11. Now at T-minus 2 days and counting!
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From: Peripatetic
They have a ship which stands clear of the landing zone and deploys the raft and camera and is there to ensure the ship sinks without any interference and to recover or tow back any that are recoverable.
I presume they also carry and deploy drones to help locate parts and for assessment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-...oast/104672850
I presume they also carry and deploy drones to help locate parts and for assessment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-...oast/104672850
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From: Peripatetic
SpaceX announces timeline and pricing for cargo Starship Moon and Mars missions.
Reported on the company’s website, SpaceX intends to begin Moon and Mars surface cargo missions in 2028 and 2030, respectively - each at $100 million per metric ton or $100,000 per kg.
Reported on the company’s website, SpaceX intends to begin Moon and Mars surface cargo missions in 2028 and 2030, respectively - each at $100 million per metric ton or $100,000 per kg.
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From: Peripatetic
VideoThe Flight-11 Starship has been stacked.
The final @SpaceX flight test from this Launch Mount is slated for Monday, October 13th.
Excitement guaranteed.
The final @SpaceX flight test from this Launch Mount is slated for Monday, October 13th.
Excitement guaranteed.
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From: UK
They have a ship which stands clear of the landing zone and deploys the raft and camera and is there to ensure the ship sinks without any interference and to recover or tow back any that are recoverable.
I presume they also carry and deploy drones to help locate parts and for assessment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-...oast/104672850
I presume they also carry and deploy drones to help locate parts and for assessment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-...oast/104672850
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
VideoThe Flight-11 Starship has been stacked.
The final @SpaceX flight test from this Launch Mount is slated for Monday, October 13th.
Excitement guaranteed.
The final @SpaceX flight test from this Launch Mount is slated for Monday, October 13th.
Excitement guaranteed.
- Ed
Tabs please!
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From: Biffins Bridge
I have an early start on Tues so will miss the live action. What are the mission objectives ? A full orbit and return to the Gulf of Mexico America perhaps ?