SpaceX Announces Sixth Starship Test Flight on Nov. 18

SpaceX has announced the next test flight for its Starship rocket, and it's sooner than you probably expected. The sixth Starship launch will happen as early as Nov. 18 at SpaceX's Boca Chica testing facility. SpaceX again hopes to catch the first-stage booster and will also test reigniting Starship's engines and new heatshield materials.

The main event of the fifth integrated test flight (IFT-5) was undeniably the booster catch. After sending the Starship vehicle off to its watery grave, Super Heavy maneuvered back to the launch tower and was caught gracefully by its "chopstick" arms. SpaceX intends a repeat of that performance. The team will monitor the booster's approach and OK the catch only if all systems are nominal. If the command is not sent or automated systems detect an issue, the first stage will alter its trajectory and aim for the ocean instead.

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