Starship flight test 8

Last updated

Starship flight test 8
Mission type Flight test
Operator SpaceX
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftStarship Ship 34
Spacecraft type Starship (Block 2)
ManufacturerSpaceX
Start of mission
Launch dateNET February 26, 2025 [1]
Rocket Super Heavy (Block 1, B15)
Launch site Starbase, OLP-A
End of mission
Landing site
←  Flight 7
Flight 9  →

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 no earlier than February 26, 2025. [7]

Contents

Background

Vehicle testing ahead of launch

Booster 15 underwent cryogenic testing on December 29th, 2024. [8] 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. [9]

On February 8th, 2025, Booster 15 rolled to OLP-A for static fire testing, [10] and the test was conducted the following day. [11] On February 10th, SpaceX rolled S34 out to the Massey's test site for static fire testing. [12] It conducted a long duration static fire (58 seconds) on February 11. [13]

Impact of Flight 7 on upcoming launch

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. [14]

The FAA ordered SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the breakup, grounding Starship until the inquiry was complete. [15] 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. [16]

References

  1. ↑ Berger, Eric (February 20, 2025). "Starship's eighth test flight may take place next week". Ars Technica. Retrieved February 20, 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. ↑ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (November 19, 2024). "Successful ocean landing of Starship! 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" (Tweet). Retrieved November 19, 2024– via Twitter.
  5. 1 2 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. ↑ Berger, Eric (February 20, 2025). "Starship's eighth test flight may take place next week". Ars Technica. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  8. ↑ NASASpaceflight (December 31, 2024). This Is How It Ends. That's Going To Do It. | SpaceX Starbase . Retrieved January 1, 2025– via YouTube.
  9. ↑ NASASpaceflight (January 20, 2025). Booster Catch, Ship Failure & The Path to Starship Flight 8. Starbase Update . Retrieved January 21, 2025– via YouTube.
  10. ↑ NASASpaceflight (February 8, 2025). Booster 15 Ready For Testing Ahead of Starship Flight 8 | SpaceX Boca Chica . Retrieved February 9, 2025– via YouTube.
  11. ↑ NASASpaceflight (February 9, 2025). SpaceX Performs Testing with Booster 15 for Starship Flight 8 . Retrieved February 9, 2025– via YouTube.
  12. ↑ NASASpaceflight (February 10, 2025). Starship Flight 8 Testing Begins With A 33 Engine Static Fire | Starbase Update . Retrieved February 11, 2025– via YouTube.
  13. ↑ NASASpaceflight (February 11, 2025). SpaceX Performs Static Fire with Ship 34 for Starship Flight 8 . Retrieved February 12, 2025– via YouTube.
  14. ↑ Dunn, Marcia (January 16, 2025). "SpaceX Suspects Fire During Starship Flight 7 Linked to Pressure Issues". Associated Press. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  15. ↑ "General Statements". Federal Aviation Administration . January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  16. ↑ 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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