| Names | Integrated Flight Test-5 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Flight test |
| Operator | SpaceX |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Starship Ship 30 |
| Spacecraft type | SpaceX Starship |
| Manufacturer | SpaceX |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | NET Early August 2024 |
| Rocket | SpaceX Super Heavy Booster 12 |
| Launch site | Starbase OLM-A |
SpaceX Starship flights
← IFT-4
IFT-6 →
| |
SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 5 (IFT-5) will be the fifth integrated flight test of a prototype Starship launch vehicle. The prototype vehicles planned to be flown are the Ship 30 upper-stage and Booster 12.[1]
Based on comments from Elon Musk, the fifth flight test is expected no earlier than August 2024.[2] In April 2024, Musk stated that the if B11's 'virtual tower' landing during IFT-4 was successful, flight five may involve a catch of the Super Heavy booster, which he reiterated on 6 June, after IFT-4 had concluded.[3][4]
During a company all-hands in April 2024, Musk expanded briefly on the goals of flight 5, stating that the first tower landing could occur on IFT-5, depending on B11's virtual landing performance during flight 4.[3] In June, Musk stated the heatshield tiles on the flight 5 vehicle will be twice as strong along with a new ablative protection layer underneath.[5] The process of removing the old Thermal Protection System began on 11 June.[6] The FAA confirmed on 12 June that no mishap investigation would be required prior to flight 5 launch.[7] The communications license from the FCC for IFT-5 was applied for with a start date of 19 July.[8] Multiple tests occurred with the hydraulic arms on the launch tower in preparation for the booster catch.[9]
Design revisions on Ship 30 include a new vent on the liquid methane tank and another vent with a new valve design on the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank.[10] Two arrays of small radio antennas were redesigned and relocated near the payload bay instead of the ship's nosecone, with one array concealed beneath the ship's heat shield.[11]
Static fire testing of Ship 30 occurred in early May in preparation for flight 5.[12] This was the last static fire conducted at the now-demolished Suborbital Pad B,[13] as future tests will use the static fire stand at Massey's Test Site.[14] Booster 12 moved to the pad on July 9th.[15] The booster performed a spin prime test on July 12th; it was the first time a spin prime test was performed since Booster 9 in August of 2023.[16] A static fire of Booster 12 was completed on July 15th.[17]
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* denotes unflown vehicles or engines, and future missions or sites. † denotes failed missions, destroyed vehicles, and abandoned sites.
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