Thu Nov 07 05:13:58 UTC 2024: ## SpaceX to Launch Starship on November 18th for Sixth Test Flight
**Boca Chica, Texas -** SpaceX announced today that its next Starship test flight is scheduled for November 18th. This will be the sixth flight for the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, aiming to push the boundaries of its capabilities and further explore reusability.
The upcoming flight will build upon the success of the fifth test flight in October, where the Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch site and was caught by the “chopstick arms” and catch tower at Starbase. This time, SpaceX plans to test reigniting a ship Raptor engine while in space, as well as a suite of heatshield experiments and maneuvering changes for reentry and descent over the Indian Ocean.
While the primary objective remains landing the booster, this flight will also introduce several upgrades to the Starship system. This includes more redundancy in the booster propulsion system, updated software controls, and the assessment of new secondary thermal protection materials.
The upper stage of Starship will fly the same suborbital trajectory as the previous flight test, with splashdown targeted in the Indian Ocean. SpaceX is also planning significant upgrades to the ship starting with flight 7, including redesigned flaps, larger propellant tanks, and the most up-to-date thermal protection.
The US Federal Aviation Administration approved both flights 5 and 6 simultaneously in October due to their similar objectives. This ambitious test program is a critical step towards SpaceX’s long-term goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the moon and Mars.
First Piper 