tech
SpaceX is gearing up for Starship's 13th test flight later this week
This flight will put Starship under higher pressure and test out new Starlink satellites in orbit.
TL;DR
- SpaceX's Starship test flight is scheduled for Thursday, featuring the inclusion of 20 real Starlink V3 satellites.
- The mission will test the payload deployment mechanism and attempt laser communication links between the Starlink V3s and other spacecraft.
- Engineers will use cameras on the satellites to scan Starship's heat shield for readiness assessment for future missions.
- The flight aims to achieve a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, with Starlink satellites burning up during reentry.
- A key objective is to successfully ignite Raptor engines for a brief burn in space, an objective missed on the previous flight.
- The Super Heavy booster's relight capability and directional control after separation will also be tested with hardware modifications.
- SpaceX will experiment with modified heat shield tiles and attachment mechanisms, and use 'load sensing tiles' to gather data on durability and attachment stress.
- Successful orbital flights are necessary for Starship to begin operational missions like satellite launches and support NASA's Artemis program.