Starship Is Ready for Flight 6 Today: How to Watch Live Stream?

As SpaceX basks in the success of Starship’s fifth test flight, which saw the groundbreaking “catch” of the Super Heavy booster, all eyes are now turning to Flight 6. 

Starship Flight 6 Launch on 19 November: Live Broadcast

SpaceX has set 18 November as the target date for Starship’s sixth test flight, with a 30-minute launch window opening at 5 p.m. EST (2100 GMT). This marks a shift to afternoon launches, allowing for daylight splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

SpaceX’s X account and the new X TV app will provide a live webcast of the Starship Flight 6 launch approximately 30 minutes before liftoff. You can also watch the broadcast on YouTube:

On 11 November, Ship 31 (the upper stage of Starship) was transferred to the launch site, signalling the final stages of pre-flight preparations. 

On 13 November, SpaceX rolled out the upper stage of Starship to the launch pad at its Starbase facility in South Texas. The rocket featured the ‘Banana For Scale’ sticker we reported before.

The upper stage will follow a similar trajectory to the previous flight, aiming for a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This test will also feature intentional heat shield gaps and a higher-angle descent to gather data for future landing profiles.

Preparations before SpaceX Starship Flight 6

On 25 October, SpaceX achieved a crucial milestone in preparation for Starship Flight 6 with the successful static fire of Booster 13. The static fire test for Booster 13 was successfully conducted, indicating that the booster is ready for further integration and testing ahead of Flight 6.

Its partner, Ship 31, has already completed its own static fire test, ensuring both components are primed for the upcoming mission.

While no official launch date has been confirmed, industry experts speculate that Flight 6 could occur as early as mid-November, depending on the results of upcoming tests and any necessary adjustments.

Updated on 22 October

Super Heavy Booster 13 has officially rolled out of Megabay 1 on 22 October, heading to the launch complex for testing ahead of the upcoming Starship Test Flight 6. It’s all just one week after returning the first booster caught following launch!

The Booster 13 is set to fly with Ship 31. It may even undergo a Static Fire test this week. With Ship 31 already Static Fired, everything seems on track for an exciting Flight 6 in November!

A few notable differences compared to Booster 12 include:

• New rounder cowbells for the LOX RCS vents
• New stringers over the Chopstick stab points, similar to Booster 12

Key Details

The next major Starship mission is on the horizon, with preparations already in full swing. With a mission profile resembling Flight 5, there may be exciting new objectives in store.

• Expected Launch: November 2024 is the earliest (exact date TBA)
• Launch Site: Starbase, Boca Chica, Texas
• Vehicle: Booster 13 for the Super Heavy first stage & Ship 31 for the Starship upper stage
• Mission Profile: Similar to Flight 5, with potential new objectives. While the full mission details are yet to be announced, Flight 6 is expected to closely mirror the profile of Flight 5. 

Main objectives are likely to include:

1. A second attempt at catching the Super Heavy booster using the launch tower’s “chopsticks”
2. Extended flight duration for the Starship upper stage
3. A controlled splashdown of the Starship in the Indian Ocean

Launch License & Regulatory Approval

SpaceX secured FAA approval for both Flight 5 and Flight 6 simultaneously. The license, issued on 12 October, 2024, covers the flight profiles for both missions, suggesting similarities between the two tests. This dual approval streamlines the regulatory process and potentially allows for a quicker turnaround between flights.

Vehicle Preparation

Ship 31 has already undergone significant testing and preparation:

• 11 May, 2024: S31 rolled to Masseys Test Site for cryogenic testing
• 12 May, 2024: Electrical anomaly during first cryogenic test
• Early July 2024: Successful cryogenic test completed
• 18 September, 2024: Successful static fire test

Currently, S31 is undergoing a full heat shield replacement, similar to the process Ship 30 went through before Flight 5. Stay tuned for more updates and news on upcoming flight!