SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 4
| Mission type | Flight test |
|---|---|
| Operator | SpaceX |
| Mission duration | 1 hour, 4 minutes, 39 seconds (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Starship S29, Super Heavy B11 |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | May 2024 (est.) |
| Rocket | Starship |
| Launch site | Starbase |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
SpaceX Starship flights | |
SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 4 (IFT-4) is the fourth and upcoming integrated flight test of the SpaceX Starship launch vehicle. SpaceX is expected to perform the flight test in May 2024.[1] The flight aims for the Super Heavy booster to land in the Ocean, and for Ship to relight its Raptor engines in space as well as survive peak heating during atmospheric re-entry.[2]
Depending on the degree of success of the fourth launch, SpaceX will open a possibility at IFT-5 of the orbital launch tower or OLM to catch the Super Heavy on its descent. This was reported by Elon Musk, but before that, they will do simulations in a 'virtual' launch tower to see the feasibility of said objective.
Background[edit]
Changes from the previous flight[edit]
After the third test flight in March, multiple of the objectives were achieved like the propellant transfer demonstration.[3]Additional work on the heat shield tiles were undertaken to ensure Ship's , survival during atmospheric re-entry. Additional upgrades were also made to the 'Chopsticks' on the orbital launch tower, however an actual landing of the booster isn't planned until IFT-5.[4]
Development prior to launch[edit]
In late April, a NASA official confirmed SpaceX remained on track for the fourth test flight to occur in May 2024.[5]
Flight profile[edit]
| Time | Event | May, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| −01:15:00 | SpaceX Flight Director conducts a poll and verifies go for propellant loading | — |
| −00:53:00 | Starship oxidizer loading (liquid oxygen) underway | — |
| −00:51:00 | Starship fuel loading (liquid methane) underway | — |
| −00:42:00 | Super Heavy oxidizer loading (liquid oxygen) underway | — |
| −00:41:00 | Super Heavy fuel loading (liquid methane) underway | — |
| −00:19:40 | Booster engine chill | — |
| −00:03:30 | Booster propellant load complete | — |
| −00:02:50 | Ship propellant load complete | — |
| −00:00:30 | SpaceX flight director verifies GO for launch | — |
| −00:00:10 | Flame deflector activation | — |
| −00:00:03 | Booster engine ignition | — |
| 00:00:02 | Liftoff | — |
| 00:00:52 | Max q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) | — |
| 00:02:42 | Booster most engines cutoff (MECO) | — |
| 00:02:44 | Starship engine ignition and stage separation (hot-staging) | — |
| 00:02:55 | Booster boostback burn startup | — |
| 00:03:50 | Booster boostback burn shutdown | — |
| 00:06:36 | Booster is transonic | — |
| 00:06:46 | Booster landing burn startup | — |
| 00:07:04 | Booster landing burn shutdown | — |
| 00:08:35 | Starship engine cutoff (SECO) | — |
| 00:40:46 | Raptor in-space relight demo | — |
| 00:49:05 | Starship entry | — |
| 01:02:16 | Starship is transonic | — |
| 01:03:04 | Starship is subsonic | — |
| 01:04:39 | Starship splashdown | — |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Zafar, Ramish (April 26, 2024). "SpaceX's Fourth Starship IFT-4 Test Is On Track For May Reveals NASA Official". Wccftech. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Davenport, Justin (April 19, 2024). "As IFT-4 prepares for launch, Starship's future is coming into focus". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Foust, Jeff (April 27, 2024). "SpaceX making progress on Starship in-space refueling technologies". SpaceNews. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Davenport, Justin (April 19, 2024). "As IFT-4 prepares for launch, Starship's future is coming into focus". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Beil, Adrian (April 28, 2024). "NASA Updates on Starship Refueling, as SpaceX Prepares Flight 4 of Starship". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "Starship's Third Flight Test". SpaceX. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
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