Everything Is Ready for Starship’s Sixth Launch: SpaceX Will Push the Spacecraft to the Limit With Multiple Re-entry Modifications

Notice to airmen: check. Notice to sailors: check. Notice to locals before road and beach closures: check. Everything is ready for the final launch of the first-generation Starship. Here’s what to expect:

A brighter landing. Unlike the fifth launch, which occurred at dawn, SpaceX has set Starship’s sixth flight for a mid-afternoon liftoff in Boca Chica, Texas. It's aiming for a dawn descent over the Indian Ocean. The timing will provide better light to capture landing maneuvers.

The launch is set for 4 p.m. local time with a 30-minute window. Backup opportunities are available on Nov. 19 and 20. SpaceX will stream the launch live on its website and official X profile.

In-flight engine restart. A significant focus of this mission is the first in-flight restart of one of Starship 31’s six Raptor engines during its quasi-orbital trajectory.

This test is critical for future orbital missions requiring engine reignition in a vacuum for de-orbiting and landing. SpaceX expected to complete this test during the third flight. However, it had to abort the restart because of a problem that caused the spacecraft to spin on its axis as it orbited Earth.

Smaller heat shield. Starship 31 doesn’t carry heat shields in the areas where SpaceX plans to install capture hardware for future spacecraft. Like the Super Heavy Booster, the company designed Starship to land on the arms of a Mechazilla tower.

While it will continue to simulate landing maneuvers over the Indian Ocean, the company has installed new secondary materials under the ceramic tiles to enhance the heat shield’s durability during re-entry.

A new angle during re-entry. Atmospheric re-entry remains one of the most challenging aspects for Starship. While the spacecraft has survived plasma heat before, heat shield damage has been visible.

In this flight, the spacecraft will re-enter at a higher angle of attack, testing the ability of its aerodynamic surfaces to maintain control during descent. This data will be vital for future missions involving tower captures, set to debut with the second-generation Starship on the seventh flight.

Image | SpaceX

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