SpaceX has announced its seventh flight test for Starship has been delayed, due to weather.
Originally set to take place today at 4pm CT, it has been pushed back a day due to weather.
“Due to weather, we’re now targeting Thursday, January 16 for Starship’s seventh flight test. The 60-minute launch window opens at 4 p.m. CT,” said SpaceX on Wednesday. That works out to 2pm PT and 5pm ET.
The upcoming Starship flight test will introduce a new-gen ship with significant upgrades, aiming to improve reliability, performance, and reusability.
Key enhancements include smaller, repositioned forward flaps to reduce reentry heating, advanced propulsion systems with increased propellant capacity, and next-generation heat shield tiles with added backup layers.
The vehicle’s avionics have been completely redesigned for more complex missions, featuring a more powerful flight computer, integrated Starlink and navigation systems, smart batteries, and over 30 cameras for detailed performance monitoring.
During the flight, Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators to test satellite deployment capabilities and relight a Raptor engine in space. It’s going to be so cool to see the “Pez” dispenser in action.
The test will also focus on ship reentry and catch experiments. It will include stress tests on heat shield tiles, evaluations of alternative materials, and redesigned thermal protection for critical areas.
Non-structural ship catch fittings and radar sensors on the tower will also undergo testing to improve catch accuracy. The Super Heavy booster will reuse a flight-proven Raptor engine for the first time, while hardware upgrades to the launch tower aim to prevent damage to key systems during future launches and catches.
With the shift to Thursday, SpaceX’s Starship launch will coincide with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and its New Glenn launch, set to take place from at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
