SpaceX Starship: First High-Altitude Test Flight Targeted Next Week

SpaceX appears poised to advance to the next significant stage in the evolution of its Starship spacecraft: a test flight reaching an altitude of 15km (50,000 feet). This planned flight would represent a substantial increase over the highest altitude attained by any previous Starship prototype, with the current record for a hop test being approximately 500 feet. Elon Musk indicates that SpaceX intends to conduct its initial high-altitude test sometime in the coming week.

This projected timeframe (though subject to potential adjustments) comes after a successful static fire test of the latest SN8 prototype—meaning the test spacecraft’s Raptor engines were ignited while the vehicle remained secured on the launchpad. This is a vital procedure that clears the path for flight, confirming the spacecraft’s structural integrity and its ability to endure the stresses of engine operation prior to liftoff.

The SN8 prototype differs from earlier iterations in several key aspects, most notably the inclusion of a proper nosecone and accompanying fins. Previous prototypes used for brief test flights, such as SN6, featured a mass simulator at the top, which replicated the weight of a Starship nose section but had a distinct appearance.

Musk also stated that the probability of a successful high-altitude flight for SN8 is relatively low, estimating approximately a “1/3 chance” due to the numerous systems that must function flawlessly. He further explained that this is why SpaceX has SN9 and SN10 already prepared for subsequent testing, a characteristic of the Starship development process: the rapid construction of successive prototypes to facilitate quick testing and refinement.

Further details regarding the launch date will likely become available through notifications submitted to local authorities, so stay tuned next week for updates on this important advancement in SpaceX’s Starship program.