| Starship flight test 5 | |
| Mission Type: | Flight test |
| Operator: | SpaceX |
| Spacecraft: | Starship Ship 30 |
| Spacecraft Type: | Starship |
| Manufacturer: | SpaceX |
| Launch Date: | September 2024[1] |
| Launch Rocket: | Super Heavy (B12) |
| Launch Site: | Starbase, OLM-A |
| Programme: | SpaceX Starship flight tests |
| Previous Mission: | Flight 4 |
| Next Mission: | Flight 6 |
Starship flight test 5 will be the fifth flight test of a SpaceX Starship launch vehicle. The prototype vehicles planned to be flown are the Ship 30 upper-stage and Booster 12. This fifth flight test is expected to include the first attempted "catch" of the Super Heavy booster using the Orbital Launch Mount tower at the Starbase launch site.
During a company all-hands in April 2024, Musk expanded briefly on the goals of flight test 5, stating that the first tower landing could occur, depending on B11's virtual landing performance during the fourth flight test.[2] In June, Musk stated the heatshield tiles on the flight 5 vehicle will be twice as strong along with a new ablative protection layer underneath.[3] The process of removing the old Thermal Protection System began on June 11.[4] The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed on June 12 that no mishap investigation would be required prior to flight 5 launch.[5] The communications license from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the fifth flight test was applied for with a start date of July 19.[6] Multiple tests occurred with the hydraulic arms on the launch tower in preparation for the booster catch.[7]
Design revisions on Ship 30 include a new vent on the liquid methane tank and another vent with a new valve design on the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank.[8] Two arrays of small radio antennas were redesigned and relocated near the payload bay instead of the ship's nosecone, with one array concealed beneath the ship's heat shield.[9]
Static fire testing of Ship 30 occurred in early May in preparation for flight 5.[10] This was the last static fire conducted at the now-demolished Suborbital Pad B,[11] as future tests will use the static fire stand at Massey's Test Site.[12] Booster 12 moved to the launch pad on July 9.[13] The booster performed a spin prime test on July 12; it was the first time a spin prime test was performed since Booster 9 in August 2023.[14] A static fire of Booster 12 was completed on July 15 and Ship 30 static fire was conducted on July 26th.[15] [16]