Starship test flight preparations continue

SpaceX is preparing for the 15th test flight of its Starship spacecraft, conducting static fire tests on both the Super Heavy booster and the upper stage, known as Ship 42. These tests involve igniting the rocket's engines while keeping the vehicle fixed to a test stand to ensure all systems operate correctly before a launch.

Static fire tests completed for both stages

On October 25, SpaceX ignited all 33 engines of the Super Heavy booster for a static fire lasting about fifteen seconds. This Wednesday, October 28, the company confirmed that Ship 42 had undergone two ignitions, activating its six main engines and a single Raptor engine. These tests aim to simulate a deorbit maneuver, which will be used to bring the spacecraft back to Earth after orbital flights.

Recovery plans for both rocket stages

For the 15th test flight, SpaceX plans to recover both the Super Heavy booster and the upper stage using the launch tower. This requires the spacecraft to leave orbit at the correct time to align with the tower. While the company has previously recovered the Super Heavy during earlier flights, this will be the first attempt to recover the upper stage.

Flight date and regulatory approval pending

The exact date for the 15th flight has not been confirmed, though it is still expected to occur in November. Ship 42 must return to its hangar for final preparations, which likely include integrating new Starlink V3 satellites. Before the flight can proceed, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must approve the mission.

Challenges from the 14th flight remain

The 14th test flight faced issues when one of the spacecraft's Raptor engines shut down prematurely during ascent, ending the orbital flight after three hours instead of the planned ten. While SpaceX has not yet announced a date for the 15th flight, the success of recovering the upper stage remains uncertain.