SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship Super Heavy rocket on its highly anticipated 11th test flight on October 14, with liftoff scheduled at 4:45 a.m. IST from the Starbase facility in South Texas. The mission is critical for the Mars-bound spacecraft and aims to advance deep space exploration, reusability, and spacecraft design.
The Super Heavy booster will test new landing burn engine configurations not previously attempted in flight. It will ignite 13 Raptor engines at the start of its landing burn, transitioning mid-manoeuvre to five engines, improving redundancy and fine-tuning the trajectory. The booster will hover above the Gulf of Mexico using three core engines before splashdown.
The upper stage, Starship, will conduct multiple in-space experiments. Eight Starlink satellite simulators representing the next generation of satellites will be deployed, though these are expected to burn up during reentry. A key objective is the in-space relight test of a single Raptor engine, an important step for future long-distance missions.
One of the most daring aspects of this test is the deliberate removal of heat shield tiles from select areas of Starship’s exterior. This experiment will expose vulnerable spots to reentry heating, providing valuable data for improving future designs. Additionally, SpaceX will validate subsonic guidance software and test dynamic banking maneuvers to simulate return-to-launch-site profiles.
The mission will conclude with Starship performing a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This 11th flight is a significant step as SpaceX works toward fully reusable rockets and prepares for future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.
The previous 10th test flight was crucial for SpaceX in achieving reliable orbital launches with full vehicle recovery, marking continued progress in refining Starship’s operational capabilities.
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