This article is about the eighth flight test of the Starship+Super Heavy vehicle. For other launches of Starship, see List of Starship launches.

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. SpaceX is expected to perform the flight test no earlier than Monday, March 3, 2025.[4]

Background

Vehicle testing ahead of launch

Booster 15 underwent cryogenic testing on December 29, 2024.[5] Ship 34 was moved to Massey's test site on January 15, 2025, just before Flight 7, where it conducted cryogenic tests on January 17 and 18, 2025.[6]

On February 8, 2025, Booster 15 rolled to OLP-A for static fire testing,[7] and the test was conducted the following day.[8] On February 10, SpaceX rolled S34 out to the Massey's test site for static fire testing.[9] It conducted a long duration static fire (60 seconds) on February 11.[10][11] B15 was rolled to OLP-A on February 25.[12]

Impact of flight test 7

Main article: Starship flight test 7 § Mission outcome

During Starship flight test 7 on Thursday, January 16, 2025, initial data indicated that a fire broke out mid-flight, leading to the destruction of the vehicle.[13] 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 the following month, depending on testing progress.[16]

On February 24, 2025, SpaceX announced that they had completed their mishap investigation into Flight 7.[11] Subsequently on February 26, 2025, the FAA approved the launch license with modifications based on the results of the mishap investigation.[17]

Mission profile

The mission profile for flight test 8 is similar to the previous launch's plan, targeting a splashdown in the Indian Ocean and a catch of the booster. The Ship will deploy four intentionally destructible Starlink "simulators" which are also expected to reenter over the Indian Ocean.[1]

Flight timeline

Time Event March 3, 2025
−01:15:00 Flight director conducts a poll and verifies go for propellant loading Planned
−00:45:59 Starship oxidizer (liquid oxygen) load start Planned
−00:42:59 Starship fuel (liquid methane) load start Planned
−00:41:22 Super Heavy fuel (liquid methane) load start Planned
−00:35:35 Super Heavy oxidizer (liquid oxygen) load start Planned
−00:19:40 Super Heavy and Starship engine chill Planned
−00:03:20 Starship propellant load complete Planned
−00:02:50 Super Heavy propellant load complete Planned
−00:00:30 Flight director verifies go for launch Planned
−00:00:10 Flame deflector activation Planned
−00:00:03 Super Heavy engine ignition Planned
+00:00:02 Liftoff Planned
+00:01:02 Throttle down for max q during ascent (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) Planned
+00:02:32 Super Heavy most engines cutoff (MECO) Planned
+00:02:40 Starship engine ignition and stage separation (hot-staging) Planned
+00:02:45 Super Heavy boostback burn start Planned
+00:03:30 Super Heavy boostback burn shutdown Planned
+00:03:32 Hot-stage jettison Planned
+00:06:37 Super Heavy landing burn start Planned
+00:06:57 Super Heavy landing burn shutdown and catch Planned
+00:08:44 Starship engine cutoff (SECO) Planned
+00:17:24 Starlink simulator satellites deploy demo Planned
+00:37:28 Raptor in-space relight demo Planned
+00:47:22 Starship atmospheric reentry Planned
+01:03:05 Starship is transonic Planned
+01:04:20 Starship is subsonic Planned
+01:06:04 Starship landing flip Planned
+01:06:06 Starship landing burn Planned
+01:06:26 Starship splashdown Planned
Source: SpaceX[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Starship's Eighth Flight Test". SpaceX.com. February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 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. ^ Berger, Eric (February 20, 2025). "Starship's eighth test flight may take place next week". Ars Technica. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  5. ^ This Is How It Ends. That's Going To Do It. NASASpaceflight. December 31, 2024. Event occurs at 4:51. Retrieved January 1, 2025 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ Booster Catch, Ship Failure & The Path to Starship Flight 8. Starbase Update. NASASpaceflight. January 20, 2025. Event occurs at 4:21. Retrieved January 21, 2025 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Booster 15 Ready For Testing Ahead of Starship Flight 8. NASASpaceflight. February 8, 2025. Event occurs at 10:39. Retrieved February 9, 2025 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ SpaceX Performs Testing with Booster 15 for Starship Flight 8. NASASpaceflight. February 9, 2025. Event occurs at 1:06:01. Retrieved February 9, 2025 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Starship Flight 8 Testing Begins With A 33 Engine Static Fire. NASASpaceflight. February 10, 2025. Event occurs at 4:15. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ SpaceX Performs Static Fire with Ship 34 for Starship Flight 8. NASASpaceflight. February 11, 2025. Event occurs at 1:17:10. Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ a b "New Year. New Ship. New Lessons". SpaceX.com. February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  12. ^ NASASpaceflight (February 24, 2025). SpaceX Rolls Booster 15 Ahead of Flight 8. Retrieved February 25, 2025 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Clark, Stephen (January 17, 2025). "Fire destroys Starship on its seventh test flight, raining debris from space". Ars Technica. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  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.
  17. ^ "Commercial Space Transportation License VOL 23-129 Rev. 5.2". FAA.gov. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_flight_test_8
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