SpaceX's sixth test flight of the colossal Starship took place under high expectations on November 19, 2024, captivating onlookers with its ambitious goals and high stakes. Following the previous flight, which saw the successful catch of the Super Heavy booster, this mission was pivotal for SpaceX as it aimed to push forward its goal of rapid reusability—critical for reducing the costs associated with space travel.
Anticipation built throughout the day as notable figures like President-elect Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz were present at the launch site, Starbase, located near Boca Chica, Texas. Their attendance underscored the political backing for SpaceX's endeavors, as they witnessed what was expected to be another remarkable milestone for the company.
The launch itself unfolded smoothly at 4 p.m. local time, igniting the 33 Raptor engines of the Super Heavy booster, which created a stunning visual display as the rocket ascended through the sky. Excitingly, this flight conducted its first-ever relight of one of Starship's Raptor engines during its transit, showcasing its capability for potential future lunar and Martian missions—a pivotal performance criterion as SpaceX collaborates with NASA for the Artemis program.
Despite this progress, the mission did not fulfill one of its key objectives; SpaceX had to abandon its plans to catch the returning Super Heavy booster. Just four minutes after liftoff, the decision was made due to unspecified issues detected with the launch tower's safety systems, forcing the team to divert the booster for splashdown instead. This marked the first time since the company's historic catch last month where they had to forego the landing technique. Instead, the booster safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico three minutes after detaching from Starship.
SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot explained the situation, stating, “Not all the criteria for the booster catch were met, so the flight director did not command the booster to return to the launch site.” This decision, though disappointing for the eager crowd, highlighted the company's commitment to safety above all.
After the Super Heavy booster’s splashdown, the Starship continued its mission objectives, eventually completing its reentry and water landing phase over the Indian Ocean. This maneuver had its own challenges, as the spacecraft needed to execute its descent at a steeper angle than before, putting stress on its protective heat shield and flaps. The Starship delivered under pressure, successfully managing to flip itself upright for its gentle splashdown.
The launch incorporated several significant milestones, such as the relighting of its Raptor engine and the demonstration of techniques important for future missions to the Moon and Mars. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson congratulated SpaceX on its achievements, noting, “Starship’s success is #Artemis’ success. Together, we will return humanity to the Moon & set our sites on Mars.”
While there was much to celebrate during this flight, it became clear there is still considerable ground to cover. Leading figures at SpaceX announced plans for future flights, including Flight 7, which will debut the new Starship V2—an improved version with larger propellant tanks and refined design elements to facilitate catch techniques. Starbase General Manager Kathy Lueders set ambitious goals for the next six months, indicating the possibility of successful booster catches, which would pave the way for hundreds of launches anticipated over the next few years under optimistic projections.
Overall, the sixth flight of SpaceX’s Starship heightened enthusiasm around the program, consolidifying its role as central to aspirations of space normalization and exploration. The little successes amid setbacks are integral to the iterative development process SpaceX is known for, as they continue to refine their systems based on data collected from these test flights.
Despite this mission’s imperfection, it reflects the rapid advancements and bold ambitions of SpaceX as it looks toward permanent human settlement on Mars. With several leaders from both political and engineering spectrums backing its initiatives, SpaceX is clearly on the forefront of shaping humanity's interplanetary future
