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Starship flight test 8

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This article is about the eighth flight test of the Starship+Super Heavy vehicle. For other launches of Starship, see List of Starship launches.

Starship flight test 8
Mission typeFlight test
OperatorSpaceX
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftStarship Ship 34
Spacecraft typeStarship (Block 2)
ManufacturerSpaceX
Start of mission
Launch dateNET February 24, 2025[1]
RocketSuper Heavy (Block 1, B15)
Launch siteStarbase, OLP-A
End of mission
Landing site
  • Super Heavy: Starbase, OLP-A (planned), Gulf of Mexico (contingency)
  • Ship: Indian Ocean (planned)

Starship flight test 8 will be the eighth flight test of a SpaceX Starship launch vehicle. Ship 34 and Booster 15 are expected to fly on this test flight.[2][3] It is expected to be the second flight of a Block 2 ship. After Flight 6, Elon Musk stated that flight 8 could be the first 'catch' of the Ship should flight 7's landing be successful.[4] Due to the failure of S33 to complete its ascent burn, this will likely be delayed to a later mission,[5] along with the likely required insertion into Low Earth orbit.[6] SpaceX is expected to perform the flight test in early 2025.[7][8]

Background

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Vehicle testing ahead of launch

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Booster 15 underwent cryogenic testing on December 29th, 2024.[9] Ship 34 was moved to Massey's test site on January 15th, 2025, just prior to Flight 7, where it conducted cryogenic tests on January 17th and 18th, 2025.

Impact of Flight 7 on upcoming launch

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During Starship flight 7 on Thursday, January 16, 2025, initial data indicated that a fire broke out mid-flight, leading to the destruction of the vehicle.[5] SpaceX suspects the fire was caused by an issue with the propellant system, that has led to excess pressure in the cavity above the engine firewall.[10]

The FAA ordered SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the breakup, grounding Starship until the inquiry was complete.[11] Elon Musk described the event as "barely a bump in the road," indicating that the issues would be resolved quickly. Musk suggested that a subsequent launch could occur "next month," depending on the progress of testing.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Clark, Stephen (February 1, 2025). "It seems the FAA office overseeing SpaceX's Starship probe still has some bite". Ars Technica. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  2. ^ McCrea, Aaron (November 27, 2024). "Starbase continues its rapid pace of advancement after Starship Flight 6". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Bergin, Chris (October 9, 2024). "Starship readying for Flight 5 amid future preparations". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  4. ^ @elonmusk (November 20, 2024). "Successful ocean landing of Starship!" (Tweet) – via Twitter. We will do one more ocean landing of the ship. If that goes well, then SpaceX will attempt to catch the ship with the tower.
  5. ^ a b Clark, Stephen (January 17, 2025). "Fire destroys Starship on its seventh test flight, raining debris from space". Ars Technica. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  6. ^ "Starship's Most Daring Flight Yet! | This Week in Spaceflight". YouTube. November 22, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  7. ^ Robinson-Smith, Will (November 8, 2024). "SpaceX targets Starship Flight 6 launch on November 18". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "CONACES 2024 | Conferencia: SpaceX. Ing. Kathryn Lueders". YouTube. November 7, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  9. ^ NASASpaceflight (December 31, 2024). This Is How It Ends. That's Going To Do It. | SpaceX Starbase. Retrieved January 1, 2025 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Dunn, Marcia (January 16, 2025). "SpaceX Suspects Fire During Starship Flight 7 Linked to Pressure Issues". Associated Press. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  11. ^ "General Statements". Federal Aviation Administration. January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  12. ^ Smith, Jane (January 16, 2025). "SpaceX's Starship blew up. Elon Musk says it's 'barely a bump in the road.'". MarketWatch. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
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