Starship Flight 9 Prepares for Launch | What You Need To Know | Starbase Update

Summary

SpaceX's Starship Flight 9 is set to push the boundaries of aerospace innovation with a host of upgrades and testing. Key changes include a new entry profile for the Super Heavy booster, a hot staging maneuver to optimize propellant usage, and the testing of Block 2 upgrades on Ship 35. With an eye on Mars missions and a potential launch window on May 27, 2025, this mission marks another step toward SpaceX's ambitious goals. Anticipation surrounds both the flight's success and insights Elon Musk might share about the future of Starship and its Mars-bound aspirations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Booster 14 will perform a higher angle of attack during entry to generate lift and extend glide distance, reducing descent speed and propellant needed for landing.
• 😀 SpaceX plans to disable one of the three center engines on Super Heavy during the landing burn to test backup engine functionality.
• 😀 Super Heavy is expected to make a hard splashdown, unlike previous missions, which saw soft splashdowns followed by explosions after tipping over.
• 😀 The hot staging maneuver will be modified by blocking part of the hot staging ring to control the direction of the exhaust, saving propellant for ascent.
• 😀 Ship 35 will feature Block 2 upgrades, including tougher heat shield tiles, redesigned forward flaps, and new materials like metallic and actively cooled tiles.
• 😀 SpaceX will stress test missing heat shield tiles on one side of the ship, comparing the two sides during re-entry.
• 😀 Ship 35 includes real catch pins for the Mega Bay 2 and stronger protective ramps with ablative material to enhance durability.
• 😀 Starship will attempt in-space engine relight to demonstrate orbital adjustment and de-orbit capabilities, along with deploying 8 Starlink simulators.
• 😀 SpaceX's CEO Elon Musk will give a live presentation discussing the company's vision for Mars 2026, possibly revealing upgrades and future missions.
• 😀 The 9th flight of Starship is scheduled for May 27th, with a 90-minute launch window and live stream coverage starting 12 hours before the launch window.
• 😀 A transport closure on May 28th may indicate testing of Ship 36 or Ship 37, potentially marking the beginning of preparations for Starship Flight 10 or 11.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of SpaceX's ninth Starship flight?

The primary focus of SpaceX's ninth Starship flight is to test new upgrades to both the Super Heavy booster and Starship itself, including improved heat shield tiles, engine performance, and the ability for the spacecraft to adjust its orbit during space travel.

What changes are made to the booster’s entry profile on this mission?

This mission features a higher angle of attack during booster entry, which results in a more horizontal flight path. This generates lift and extends the glide distance, reducing the need for propellant for the landing burn.

Why is SpaceX intentionally disabling one of the booster’s central engines during the landing burn?

SpaceX is disabling one of the central engines to test the ability of the engine’s middle ring to act as a backup during the landing burn, ensuring the booster can still land safely with a reduced number of functioning engines.

What is the significance of the hot staging maneuver in this flight?

The hot staging maneuver is designed to control the exhaust direction by blocking part of the hot staging ring, which allows for better use of propellant during ascent and a slight increase in the vehicle’s mass-to-orbit capability.

What are some of the new upgrades tested on Starship 35 during this flight?

Ship 35 includes several Block 2 upgrades, such as tougher heat shield tiles, the addition of metallic and actively cooled tiles, redesigned forward flaps, and the application of a tapered edge heat shield along the entire length of the vehicle.

How does SpaceX plan to test the heat shield during this flight?

SpaceX is testing the heat shield by deliberately leaving tiles missing on one side of the vehicle to stress-test those areas during re-entry, and the missing tiles will provide data on heat protection effectiveness.

What are the goals for Starship 35's performance during this flight?

The goals for Ship 35's performance include testing Starship's ability to deploy Starlink simulators, perform in-space relight of a Raptor engine to adjust the spacecraft’s orbit, and test the newly upgraded thermal protection system.

When is SpaceX targeting the launch window for Starship's ninth flight?

SpaceX is targeting a launch window opening on May 27th at 18:30 Central time (23:30 UTC), with the window lasting approximately 90 minutes.

What can we expect from Elon Musk's live presentation prior to the launch?

Elon Musk's presentation, titled 'The Road to Making Life Multiplanetary,' is expected to discuss SpaceX’s plans for Mars missions, including the goal of sending Starship vehicles to Mars by 2026, and possibly offer more details about upcoming upgrades to Starship and Super Heavy.

What is the significance of the transport closure scheduled for May 28th?

The transport closure could indicate that SpaceX is preparing another Starship for testing, possibly Ship 36 or 37. If flight 9 succeeds, SpaceX may quickly begin engine testing or cryogenic proof testing for future flights.