Starship Super Heavy launch: What to expect from 9th test flight
SpaceX is preparing for the ninth test flight of its Starship Super Heavy rocket after two successive failures in 2025.Being developed as the world's largest fully reusable launch system Starship will launch on its ninth test flight on May 28 from Pad A at SpaceX's Starbase facility near Boca Chica, Texas.WHAT TO EXPECT FROM STARSHIP SUPER HEAVY TEST FLIGHT?This mission marks the first time SpaceX will attempt to reuse a Super Heavy booster, specifically Booster 14 (B14), which previously flew on Flight 7 earlier this year.advertisement
The booster will fly with 29 of its original 33 Raptor engines.Unlike previous flights, the booster will perform a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico instead of being caught by the launch tower's robotic arms, reflecting a cautious approach after earlier challenges.A NEW FLIGHT PROFILEThe flight profile includes the ignition of all 33 Raptor engines on the booster, followed by stage separation via hot-staging, where the Starship upper stage ignites before the booster fully shuts down.The Super Heavy booster will then conduct a boostback burn and landing burn to return safely to Earth. The booster will flip in a controlled direction before initiating its boostback burn. SpaceX said that previous booster flips went in a randomised direction based on a directional push from small differences in thrust from Starship's upper stage engines at ignition.advertisementMeanwhile, the Starship upper stage will attempt to reach its planned trajectory, deploy eight destructible Starlink simulator satellites, and then splash down in the Indian Ocean.This test flight aims to build on lessons learned from Flights 7 and 8, both of which faced setbacks during ascent and engine burns. Extensive static fire tests and engine improvements have been conducted to enhance reliability.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reviewed SpaceX's mishap report from Flight 8 and authorised the return to flight, signaling regulatory confidence in the upcoming launch.The mission will also include multiple in-flight experiments, such as assessing booster performance under off-nominal conditions by deliberately not igniting one of the center engines during landing. The flight timeline anticipates liftoff, maximum aerodynamic pressure (Max Q), engine cutoffs, stage separation, satellite deployment, engine relight demonstrations, and controlled splashdowns for both stages.Starship Flight 9 is a pivotal step toward SpaceX's goal of achieving rapid reusability and advancing future crewed missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Must Watch
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Time of India
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