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Starship flight test 4
Starship flight test 4 was the fourth flight test of the SpaceX Starship launch vehicle. SpaceX performed the flight test on June 6, 2024. The prototype vehicles flown were the Starship Ship 29 upper-stage and Super Heavy Booster 11.
The main test objectives of this flight, both of which were accomplished, were for the Super Heavy booster to simulate a landing at a "virtual tower" just above the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, and for Starship to survive at least peak heating during atmospheric re-entry.
This marked the first integrated test flight where both Starship and Super Heavy successfully reentered and performed a powered vertical landing over the ocean surface.
Starship flight test 3 in March 2024 attained full duration burns of both stages and reached orbital velocity. However, both stages were destroyed during atmospheric return, prompting a SpaceX-led mishap investigation overseen by the FAA. The FAA stated that a completed license modification, incorporating corrective actions and meeting other requirements, was required for a launch license to be granted for this flight, the fourth flight test.
SpaceX stated in early April that it would intend to attempt a booster landing with the tower arms on the fifth flight test if the booster virtual landing is successful during the fourth flight test. In late April, a NASA official confirmed SpaceX remained on track for the fourth test flight to occur in May 2024.
The communications license necessary for Flight 4 was granted by the FCC on April 18. On May 17, SpaceX asked that the FAA make a public safety determination regarding the third flight test, which would allow SpaceX to launch the test flight while the mishap investigation is in progress if determined there was no public safety danger. The FAA concluded the investigation on May 28 and determined that the third flight test had not threatened public safety. SpaceX received regulatory approval to launch from the FAA on June 4.
Starship flight test 4 was initially scheduled to launch on June 5, but was pushed back a day to June 6. For this fourth flight test, the FAA listed three specific outcomes that would not trigger a mishap-investigation: the ship burning up during reentry, the flaps not having sufficient control of the ship, or the Raptor 2 engines failing to relight for landing.
Booster 11 and Ship 29 were first spotted around August 2022. Both stages underwent multiple cryogenic proof tests in late 2023, with Ship 29 performing a spin prime test in March 2024. Following Starship's third test flight, Ship 29 was lifted onto Suborbital Pad B for two static fire tests in late March, and was later returned to the High Bay for pre-flight modifications. A 33-engine static-fire was conducted on Booster 11 on Orbital Launch Mount 1 on April 5. Booster 11's hot-staging ring was installed in early May. Ship 29 was lifted onto Booster 11 on May 15, followed by a partial propellant load test on May 16. A wet dress rehearsal (WDR) was conducted on May 20.
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Starship flight test 4
Starship flight test 4 was the fourth flight test of the SpaceX Starship launch vehicle. SpaceX performed the flight test on June 6, 2024. The prototype vehicles flown were the Starship Ship 29 upper-stage and Super Heavy Booster 11.
The main test objectives of this flight, both of which were accomplished, were for the Super Heavy booster to simulate a landing at a "virtual tower" just above the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, and for Starship to survive at least peak heating during atmospheric re-entry.
This marked the first integrated test flight where both Starship and Super Heavy successfully reentered and performed a powered vertical landing over the ocean surface.
Starship flight test 3 in March 2024 attained full duration burns of both stages and reached orbital velocity. However, both stages were destroyed during atmospheric return, prompting a SpaceX-led mishap investigation overseen by the FAA. The FAA stated that a completed license modification, incorporating corrective actions and meeting other requirements, was required for a launch license to be granted for this flight, the fourth flight test.
SpaceX stated in early April that it would intend to attempt a booster landing with the tower arms on the fifth flight test if the booster virtual landing is successful during the fourth flight test. In late April, a NASA official confirmed SpaceX remained on track for the fourth test flight to occur in May 2024.
The communications license necessary for Flight 4 was granted by the FCC on April 18. On May 17, SpaceX asked that the FAA make a public safety determination regarding the third flight test, which would allow SpaceX to launch the test flight while the mishap investigation is in progress if determined there was no public safety danger. The FAA concluded the investigation on May 28 and determined that the third flight test had not threatened public safety. SpaceX received regulatory approval to launch from the FAA on June 4.
Starship flight test 4 was initially scheduled to launch on June 5, but was pushed back a day to June 6. For this fourth flight test, the FAA listed three specific outcomes that would not trigger a mishap-investigation: the ship burning up during reentry, the flaps not having sufficient control of the ship, or the Raptor 2 engines failing to relight for landing.
Booster 11 and Ship 29 were first spotted around August 2022. Both stages underwent multiple cryogenic proof tests in late 2023, with Ship 29 performing a spin prime test in March 2024. Following Starship's third test flight, Ship 29 was lifted onto Suborbital Pad B for two static fire tests in late March, and was later returned to the High Bay for pre-flight modifications. A 33-engine static-fire was conducted on Booster 11 on Orbital Launch Mount 1 on April 5. Booster 11's hot-staging ring was installed in early May. Ship 29 was lifted onto Booster 11 on May 15, followed by a partial propellant load test on May 16. A wet dress rehearsal (WDR) was conducted on May 20.