SpaceX’s next Starship test flight is coming soon, Elon Musk confirms
When is SpaceX's next Starship test flight scheduled?
SpaceX's next Starship test flight, IFT-5, is scheduled to launch in roughly four weeks, according to CEO Elon Musk. The launch follows the success of IFT-4, which was SpaceX's most successful Starship mission yet, lasting over an hour and including a successful re-entry and controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
How long did the first Starship test flight last?
The first Starship test flight, Integrated Test Flight 1 (IFT-1), took place on April 20, 2023, and lasted roughly four minutes. The test flight ended when SpaceX initiated the flight termination system, destroying the vehicle approximately 40 seconds after activation.
What caused IFT-2's booster engines to shut down?
IFT-2's booster engines shut down due to filter blockages in the liquid oxygen supply to the engines. This led to a loss of pressure in the oxygen turbopumps and eventually caused an engine to fail, resulting in the destruction of the booster.