Produced by: Tarun Mishra
SpaceX has scheduled its sixth Starship test flight for Tuesday, Nov. 19, with a 30-minute launch window opening at 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT). The launch will take place from the company’s Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas.
The test flight will feature SpaceX’s Starship megarocket, which consists of two components: the **Super Heavy booster** (first stage) and the **Starship spacecraft** (second stage). This flight is aimed at pushing the capabilities of both the ship and the booster closer to full reuse.
SpaceX will offer a live simulcast of the launch, starting 30 minutes before liftoff. Viewers can watch the event on Space.com for real-time updates on the mission.
During this flight, SpaceX plans to re-attempt capturing the Super Heavy booster using its giant metal "chopstick" arms, approximately seven minutes after launch. If unsuccessful, the booster will land via controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
After separating from the booster, the Starship spacecraft will follow a suborbital trajectory similar to its previous flight. The spacecraft will also attempt to perform an **in-space burn with one of its six Raptor engines, testing its deorbit capabilities.
The Starship spacecraft will conduct heatshield experiments and test different manoeuvring techniques for re-entry. The spacecraft will enter a higher angle descent before splashing down in the Indian Ocean about 65 minutes after launch.
Ahead of the test, hardware upgrades have been made to enhance redundancy in the booster propulsion systems, improve **structural strength**, and speed up the **propellant offloading process. These improvements are aimed at advancing the Starship system’s reliability.
Upon the Super Heavy booster’s return to Starbase, it will decelerate from supersonic speeds, producing a sonic boom. The sound will be heard as a brief thunder-like noise by people in the surrounding area. SpaceX continues to test and refine the Starship system, which will bring it closer to achieving full rapid reusability for future missions.