Starship Flight Test 1

This article contains information about the test itself as well as speculation and information about it. Information about the vehicles (Booster 7 and Ship 24, making Starship 7/24) such as testing and stacking can be found in their respective articles.

Starship Flight Test 1
Starship Flight Test 1 during its uncontrollable descent
Type	Integrated, near orbital flight test
Status	RUD (partial failure)
Flights	1
Engines	B7: 13 RC, 20 RB; S24: 3 Rvac, 3 RC
Milestones
First flight	20 April 2023
Decommissioned	20 April 2023 (RUD)
Flight info
Launch dates	-17 April 2023 scrubbed -20 April 2023, 8:33
Duration	00:03:59
Outcome	Engines failure and RUD
Starship development
Next	Starship Flight 2
See also	Starship 7/24, Booster 7 (B7), Ship 24 (S24)

Starship Flight Test 1 (unofficially OFT-1, Orbital Flight Test 1, IFT-1 or Integrated Flight Test 1) was the first test flight of Super Heavy and Starship to near orbit. It was launched on April 20, 2023, after the date had been postponed for more than a year. The configuration of Starship Flight 1 was Booster 7 and Ship 24 (Starship 7/24). In the past, SpaceX planned to use Booster 4 and Ship 20 (Starship 4/20) for the first orbital flight test.

The rocket had multiple engines shutdown and a failure of the hydraulic power unit leading to the loss of thrust vector control. Starship 7/24 exploded due to the ground crew activating the flight termination system to avoid an uncontrolled descent and crash of the rocket. However, the rocket exploded around 40s after the FTS was activated.

Starship 24 / Booster 7 Info Card (by The Proky / Boca Bingo)

Name

The community used the name "OFT-1" for Orbital Flight Test 1, being aware of the fact, that Starship would not reach full orbit and splashdown in the ocean near Hawaii. Therefore, the more general term used by SpaceX on their website is more correct. They call it "Starship flight test", and, to distinguish from previous upper stage tests, "First integrated flight test of Starship".

Overview

-Launch window:

• Launch: 20 April 2023, 13:28-14:30 UTC (08:28-09:30 CDT); launched at 08:33 CDT
• Attempt: 17 April 2023, 12:00-14:30 UTC (07:00-09:30 CDT); TFR, Closure, NOTMAR, Evac Notice Issued

-Launch license: Issued on 14 April 2023; more info here

-Launch stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1wcilQ58hI (17th: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5QXreqOrTA)

-Launch footage by community:

• Everyday astronaut
• NASASpaceflight: video 1, video 2, narrated update, stream, damage report
• LabPadre: video 1, video 2, starbase weekly, damage report
• Epic Spaceflight: video 1, video 2, video 3, video 4

-Apogee of 39 km; loss of communications and hence of the vehicle due to engine bay fires; AFSS activated but only lead to detonation with a delay - explosion at 237.474 seconds after ignition.

-Ship flight plan included a passive decent with the Ship in the belly flop position until impacting the Ocean north of Hawaii. The impact is expected to result in structural failure resulting in an explosive event.

-Super Heavy would have been landing on the surface of the ocean. SpaceX would not recover it and will instead try to sink it in any way possible

Launch Information

19 March 2024 - Technical Paper

Phil Metzger released a technical paper of the pad failure and crater from IFT-1: “A new launch pad failure mode: Analysis of fine particles from the launch of the first Starship orbital test flight.”

08 September 2023 - SpaceX statement following Mishap Investigation

SpaceX issued an update on upgrades ahead of Starhsip's second flight test:

The first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy was a critical step in advancing the capabilities of the most powerful launch system ever developed. Starship's first flight test provided numerous lessons learned that are directly contributing to several upgrades being made to both the vehicle and ground infrastructure to improve the probability of success on future Starship flights. This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceX's major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink. SpaceX has led the investigation efforts following the flight with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA and the National Transportation and Safety Board.

Starship and Super Heavy successfully lifted off for the first time on April 20, 2023, at 8:33 a.m. CT (13:33:09 UTC) from the orbital launch pad at Starbase in Texas. Starship climbed to a maximum altitude of ~39 km (24 mi) over the Gulf of Mexico. During ascent, the vehicle sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster, which eventually severed connection with the vehicle's primary flight computer. This led to a loss of communications to the majority of booster engines and, ultimately, control of the vehicle. SpaceX has since implemented leak mitigations and improved testing on both engine and booster hardware. As an additional corrective action, SpaceX has significantly expanded Super Heavy's pre-existing fire suppression system in order to mitigate against future engine bay fires.

The Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) automatically issued a destruct command, which fired all detonators as expected, after the vehicle deviated from the expected trajectory, lost altitude and began to tumble. After an unexpected delay following AFSS activation, Starship ultimately broke up 237.474 seconds after engine ignition. SpaceX has enhanced and requalified the AFSS to improve system reliability.

SpaceX is also implementing a full suite of system performance upgrades unrelated to any issues observed during the first flight test. For example, SpaceX has built and tested a hot-stage separation system, in which Starship's second stage engines will ignite to push the ship away from the booster. Additionally, SpaceX has engineered a new electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for Super Heavy Raptor engines. Using fully electric motors, the new system has fewer potential points of failure and is significantly more energy efficient than traditional hydraulic systems.

SpaceX also made significant upgrades to the orbital launch mount and pad system in order to prevent a recurrence of the pad foundation failure observed during the first flight test. These upgrades include significant reinforcements to the pad foundation and the addition of a flame deflector, which SpaceX has successfully tested multiple times.

Testing development flight hardware in a flight environment is what enables our teams to quickly learn and execute design changes and hardware upgrades to improve the probability of success in the future. We learned a tremendous amount about the vehicle and ground systems during Starship's first flight test. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying satellites, payloads, crew, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, lunar, or Martian landing sites.

08 September 2023 - FAA Mishap Investigation

On 8 September 2023, the FAA announced that they have closed the SpaceX Starship Mishap Investigation. They confirmed the cause of the failure:

"During lift-off, structural failure of the launch pad deck foundation occurred, sending debris and sand into the air. On ascent, the vehicle deviated from the expected trajectory, resulting in the Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) issuing a destruct command. After an unexpected delay following AFSS activation, Starship broke up, resulting in the loss of the launch vehicle."

After the launch mishap, which is the official term for the rapid unscheduled disassembly (RUD), SpaceX was required to conduct the mishap investigation which was then reviewed by the FAA. The FAA concluded, that they were "provided with sufficient information and accepts the root causes and corrective actions described in the mishap report. Consequently, the FAA considers the mishap investigation that SpaceX was required to complete to be concluded."

According to the final mishap investigation report, SpaceX has to implement 63 corrective actions: "These included actions to address redesigns of vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness, incorporation of additional reviews in the design process, additional analysis and testing of safety critical systems and components including the Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS), and the application of additional change control practices." It is obvious, that SpaceX was already working on some of this actions during the months after OFT-1, as major upgrade work on the launch infrastructure as well as on the vehicles was observed.

The FAA also highlighted the steps necessary on the path to a next integrated flight test (see IFT-2). SpaceX is required to apply for a modification of the old license for which they have to demonstrate that they have implemented the above-mentioned corrective actions. The FAA then has to approve the modifications.

15 August 2023 - Mishap Investigation

Jack Kuhr: SpaceX has filed the IFT-1 mishap report to the FAA. This is an important step towards the second launch test.

07 June 2023 - NASA / FAA

Jeff Foust citing Jim Free (NASA): "NASA is involved with Starship investigation, and just met with FAA. Do have concerns about their ability to meet Dec. 2025 date for Artemis 3. They have a "significant number" of launches to go before that mission."

02 June 2023 - Starlink

According to SpaceX, "Starlink set an altitude and speed record for use in-flight during Starship’s first flight test, providing connectivity at 123,600+ feet and while traveling at Mach 1.7!"

26 May 2023 - Recap

SpaceX: SpaceX has posted the recap of the Inaugural IFT. With this video, SpaceX confirms they'll be flying S25 and B9.

29 April 2023 - Elon Musk Twitter Space

On the evening of April 29, Elon Musk talked about the Starship flight test on a twitter space for his subscribers. Here's an overview of the most important points (by Michael Sheetz, WAI, Eric Berger):

Summary:

• Outcome was rouhgly what Musk expected.
• Pad should be ready in 6–8 weeks, longest issue will however be requalification of FTS which took far to long.
• Next flight test: Prototypes not yet decided; goal is to not loose TVC and to make it to staging; Musk expects it to reach orbit with the sole goal of getting information (no payload). They'll try to get off the pad faster (needed 5secs this time)
• Flight analysis:
  • Engine start to lift off about 5 secs
  • 3 engines chosen not to start; 30 engines was the minimum. The didn't explode, but were just not healthy enough to bring full thrust.
  • SpaceX doesn't see evidence of pad debris having damaged any engines or shielding.
  • The lateral slide off the pad was not intentional and a result of the engine failures.
  • T+27 secs: Communications to one engine lost due to energy event; explosion knocked out shields of engines 17, 18, 19 or 20
  • T+85 secs: TVC lost; point of separation not reached
• Pad damage quite small, however the destruction of concrete under OLM was not expected and may have been caused by compression of sand beneath concrete. Steel plate will be put under the pad as a flame trench is not necessary. The homemade tanks of the OLS tank farm will be replaced by usual tanks, but that was planned even before the test and not a result of the damage. OLIT in good shape.
• Vehicle structural margins proofed to be very good
• Raptor production slowed down due to overproduction

Expectations, prospects, FTS: "The outcome was roughly in what I expected, and maybe slightly exceeding my expectations, but roughly what I expected, which is that we would get clear of the pad." From a "pad standpoint, we are probably ready to launch in 6 to 8 weeks." "The longest item [before another test is possible] on that is probably requalification of the flight termination system ... it took way too long to rupture the tanks." Time for AFTS to kick in "was pretty long," about "40 seconds-ish." "It was actually good to get this vehicle off the ground because we've made so many improvements" in Super Heavy Booster 9 "and beyond." "Really just needed to fly this vehicle and then move on to the much improved booster."

Next test flight: SpaceX has yet to make a final decision on which Starship prototype and Super Heavy booster will fly the next launch. However, further comments hinted towards current plans of using the much improved booster 9. The big thing for next Starship launch is "insuring that we don't lose thrust vector control" with Booster 9." "Our goal for the next flight is to make it to staging and hopefully succeed." "My expectation for the next flight would be to reach orbit." Next flight profile will be a "repeat." "The goal of these missions is just information. Like, we don't have any payload or anything -- it's just to learning as much as possible." According to Musk, they "definitely don't" expect lunar Starship (under the HLS project) to be the longest lead item for the Artemis III mission. "We will be the first thing to really be" ready. There's probably an 80% probability of reaching orbit with Starship this year, and "I think close to 100% change of reaching orbit within 12 months." Musk also mentioned some some concrete points they'll try to adapt for the next test: "we're going to start the engines faster and get off the pad faster." From engine start to moving Starship "was around 5 seconds, which is a really long time to be blasting the pad." Going to try to cut that time in half.

Engines and flight analysis: From engine start to moving Starship "was around 5 seconds, which is a really long time to be blasting the pad." "There were 3 engines that we chose not to start," so that's why Super Heavy booster lifted off with 30 engines, "which is the minimum number of engines." The 3 engines "didn't explode," but just were not "healthy enough to bring them to full thrust so they were shut down". Although lift off generated a "rock tornado" under Super Heavy during liftoff, but SpaceX does not "see evidence that the rock tornado actually damaged engines or heat shields in a material way." May have happened, but "we have not seen evidence of that." Starship sliding laterally off the launchpad was "because of the engine failures." At T+27 seconds, SpaceX lost communications due to "some kind of energy event." And "some kind of explosion happened to knock out the heat shields of engines 17, 18, 19, or 20." Zack Golden clarified that communications was not lost with the whole vehicle, but with a single engine at T+27. The "Rocket kept going through T+62 seconds" with the engines continuing to run. Lost thrust vector control at T+85 seconds. After AFTS, "the ship did not attempt to save itself." They "Got pretty close to stage separation ... if we had maintained thrust vector control and throttled up, which we should have ... then we would have made it to staging." Musk also clarified, that Starship didn't get to what SpaceX thought was "a safe point to do stage separation."

Pad damage and upgrades: "I'm glad to report that the pad damage is actually quite small" and should "be repaired quickly." "We certainly didn't expect" to destroy the concrete under the launchpad. Speculating, but "one of the more plausible explanations is that ... we may have compressed the sand underneath the concrete to such a degree that the concrete effectively bent and then cracked," which is "a leading theory." "We're going to putting down a lot of steel" under the launch tower before the next Starship flight. "Debris was really just basically sand and rock so it's not toxic at all ... it's just like a sandstorm, essentially ... but we don't want to do that again." Reason for going with a steel plate instead of a flame trench is that for payloads in the rocket, the worse acoustic environment doesn't matter to the payload since it's about 400 feet away. "Going to be replacing a bunch of the tanks in the tank farm, but these are tanks that we wanted to replace anyway." As for the those tanks, he clarified that most of the homemade tanks at the orbital tank farm will be replaced with the more conventional "hotdog tanks." The "Tower itself is in good shape. We see no meaningful damage to the tower even though they got hit with some pretty big chunks of concrete."

Vehicle structure: "The vehicle's structural margins appear to be better than we expected, as we can tell from the vehicle actually doing somersaults towards the end and still staying intact."

Engine production: Crews slowed down Raptor engine production "because we've got more Raptors than we know what to do with." This is interesting to know, as only last year, Elon Musk complained about engine production.

Financial aspects: Musk expects to spend ~$2 billion this year on Starship. However, he thinks: "We do not anticipate needing to raise funding ... we don't think we need to raise funding." They will do the "standard thing where we provide liquidity to employees." "But to my knowledge we do not need to raise incremental funding for SpaceX."

Environmental issues: "The rocket uses non-toxic propellants and ... scattered a lot of dust, but to the best of our knowledge there has not been any meaningful damage to the environment that we're aware of."

27 April 2023 - Nelson

Nelson/Jeff Foust: "Nelson says SpaceX has told NASA that it can repair the pad and prepare the next Starship in about 2 months. Last week’s failure is “not a big downer”."

26 April 2023 - US Fish and Wildlife

US Fish and Wildlife assessment of launch: "US Fish and Wildlife has made its assessment on the impacts of SpaceX's Starship launch:

• 3.5-acre fire started south of the pad
• 385 acres of debris on SpaceX land and Boca Chica State Park
• concrete chunks and other objects hurled thousands of feet
• no debris documented on refuge fee-owned lands
• no dead birds or wildlife reported" Loren Grush

21 and 22 April 2023 - Musk

"3 months ago, we started building a massive water-cooled, steel plate to go under the launch mount. Wasn’t ready in time & we wrongly thought, based on static fire data, that Fondag would make it through 1 launch. Looks like we can be ready to launch again in 1 to 2 months."; "Still early in analysis, but the force of the engines when they throttled up may have shattered the concrete, rather than simply eroding it. The engines were only at half thrust for the static fire test."

21 April 2023 - FAA Statement to SpacePolicyOnline

"The Anomaly Response Plan referenced in the 2022 Programmatic Environmental Assessment has been activated. In addition, other environmental mitigations require that SpaceX must have ongoing monitoring of vegetation and wildlife by a qualified biologist. This includes conducting a pre- and post-launch survey and submitting a report to the FAA and to the other involved state or federal agencies. There are also required mitigations specific to SpaceX coordinating with state or federal agencies to remove launch debris from sensitive habitats. The FAA will ensure SpaceX complies with all required mitigations. Furthermore, the FAA made compliance with the environmental mitigations a condition of the license.”

“SpaceX was required to perform analyses to ensure that the public was not exposed to unacceptable risks. SpaceX is required to perform a post-flight data review to ensure consistency between the assumptions used for their safety analyses and the data observed from the flight. SpaceX is also required to resolve any inconsistencies identified. As required by regulations, SpaceX must demonstrate that any ground safety and flight hazards do not pose unacceptable risk to the public during licensed activities.”

“SpaceX is responsible for local, state and federal compliance requirements. The FAA will ensure compliance with its regulations.” — FAA response to questions from SpacePolicyOnline.com, April 21, 2023

20 April 2023 - FAA Statements

"FAA confirms no reports of any injuries. SpaceX and ANSA pleased with the test flight." [Davenport]

"Starship's automated flight termination system terminated the rocket." Davenport

"An anomaly occurred during the ascent and prior to stage separation resulting in a loss of the vehicle.  No injuries or public property damage have been reported. The FAA will oversee the mishap investigation of the Starship / Super Heavy test mission. A return to flight of the Starship / Super Heavy vehicle is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. This is standard practice for all mishap investigations."

20 April 2023 - Launch and RUD

SpaceX launched Starship 7/24 at 8:33 CT. After lift off, Starship glided away from the OLIT. This likely was not intended and might have been caused by the engines taking some time to adjust the thrust due to some engines not firing. Several engines shut down after lift off and during flight. The rocket has passed max Q without problems, but began tumbling before stage separation. Later, FTS was activated, and the rocket exploded. Furthermore, it looks like the HPU unit exploded at T+30 secs, possibly being the cause of the tumbling.

Slow motion of lift off from the tower, showing at least two engines failed (SpaceX)

Official announcments after the test

-Bill Nelson: "Congrats to @SpaceX on Starship’s first integrated flight test! Every great achievement throughout history has demanded some level of calculated risk, because with great risk comes great reward. Looking forward to all that SpaceX learns, to the next flight test—and beyond."

-Musk: "Congrats SpaceX team on an exciting test launch of Starship! Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months."

-SpaceX: "Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting first integrated flight test of Starship!"

-SpaceX: "With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multi-planetary"

-SpaceX: "Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test"

-SpaceX: "As if the flight test was not exciting enough, Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation"

-SpaceX: "Starship has cleared the pad and beach! Vehicle is on a nominal flight path"

-SpaceX: "Starship successfully lifted off from the orbital launch pad and climbed to an apogee of ~39 km over the Gulf of Mexico"

Timeline

Timeline according to different streams: Epic SpaceFlight, LabPadre, NSF

• 00:08 Road closed
• 01:37 or earlier: LOX side berm vent has started
• 01:45 Or earlier: OLS tank farm road side venting started
• 02:02 FIREX system tested
• 02:08 Pad cleared
• 02:11 Village clearing underway
• 03:11 Chopsticks have detached from S24 and started to open slightly
• 03:16 A bit more LOX side venting
• 03:16-21 Chopsticks opened up
• 03:22-29 Chopsticks lowered to launch position
• 03:32 CH4 tank vent stack began venting, as they are pre-processing it with LN2
• 03:48 Road block moved to San Martin boulevard
• 03:53 Car arrived at OLS tank farm east entrance, from the beach
• 04:02 Car left - pad cleared again
• 04:12 Roadblock moved further inland, away from San Martin Boulevard
• 04:17 Minor LOX side venting near subcoolers
• 04:21 CH4 side second vent at the bottom started; CH4 subcoolers started to get frosty
• 04:26 LOX subcooler venting increased a bit
• 04:31 LOX side ventings increased a lot
• 04:42 LOX subcoolers began venting
• 04:49? Satellite dishes lowered
• 05:11 LOX side venting decreased slightly
• 05:16 Flight plan for NASA plane WB57 issued; 06:30 scheduled take off
• 05:17 LOX side venting increased again a bit
• 05:25 OLM venting started to cryo-condition the lines
• 05:26 OLIT venting started as well
• 05:29 Venting at road side decreased
• 06:05 Nearly no more venting from OLIT
• 06:29 NASA WB57 plane transponder active
• 06:30 SpaceX: "The Starship team is go for prop load; team is keeping an eye on the weather"
• 06:37 NASA WB-57 took off (N926NA)
• 06:45 Fog moved in
• 06:49 Shistling noises; near waterfall-mode on OLM vent
• 06:51:10 CH4 subcoolers top vents started - prop load to start
• 06:51:30 OLM vent stopped
• 06:58 B7 LOX tank frost started to appear
• 07:01 SpaceX: "Fueling of the Super Heavy booster is underway"
• 07:02 B7 CH4 tank frost spotted
• 07:04:00 OLIT vent restarted
• 07:05 OLIT vent increased a lot
• 06:06 "Ship fuel load has started" (mission audio)
• 07:13:59 OLIT vent decreased
• 07:14 Ship LOX load started (mission audio)
• 07:22 Ship LOX tank frost started to appear
• 07:23 Ship CH4 tank frost started to form as well
• 07:25 Occasional venting from Ship engine chill lines on booster started
• 07:33 Coastguard helicopter spotted
• 07:35 Ship frost: CH4 tank bit less than a ring, LOX 1.5 rings
• 07:40 Booster 7 both tanks around half full
• 07:49 SpaceX stream intro started here
• 07:50 Musk: "Starship on track to launch in ~37 mins"
• 07:51 Booster LOX tank frost reached top of chines
• 07:53 SpaceX stream intro video started
• 08:02 Ship LOX header tank is loading (mission audio) (T-25)
• 08:03 Ship CH4 header tank is loading (mission control) (T-24)
• 08:07: T-20 Insprucker: Load on both stages underway; 97% Ship CH4, 96% Ship LOX, 74% Booster CH4, 76% Booster LOX; go no go poll at T-2hrs, T-1:39min prop load B7 started; T-27 header tank load started; T-3min load will be complete; T-19 weather and wind look good, ground level will increase, but ok no, upper wind ok, waiting on a balloon; backup window would depend on how far in contdown, but no issues currently.
• 08:09 SpaceX: "Starship’s Raptor engines are chilling down in preparation for liftoff"
• 08:15 T-12: No issues; prop load continues 97% 96% 84% 84%; T-27 to T-9 header tank load; main tanks are loaded for flight on ship; booster load will continue; hold down clamps unlached; QD prepared for release; T-10 no reports of safety perimeter violation
• T-8:00: Insprucker: 2nd stage pressurazion closing up; header tank load closing out; only first stage missing; guidance system, FTS arming and TVC test in last few minutes; T-40secs would be a hold for final checkouts and pressurization, currently no info that it would be needed; T-6 cluster ignition at T-8secs, electrical iginition being used, "banks"
• T-3:10: Update: Waiting on first stage loading; 2:50 loading complete;
• T-2:20 OLM vent
• 08:26 SpaceX: "Propellant loading complete; Starship is fully loaded with more than 4500 metric tons (10 million pounds) of propellant"
• T-1:50 close out (what?)
• T-1:25 TVC test
• T-1:10 FTS armed; perhaps hold needed for launch team?
• T-40 hold passed
• Recycle hold at T-21secs, clock to be reset
• 08:29 "Countdown hold for final launch checkouts"
• 08:31 Booster tank press a bit long, appears resolved; final purging on 2nd stage
• 08:31 All flags being cleard, looks like clock to be released at T-40 seconds
• 08:33 Flight director is go for flight; SpaceX: "Clock has resumed counting down"
• 08:32:45 FIREX system activated
• 08:33:04 Ignition sequence started
• 08:33 SpaceX: "Liftoff of Starship!" [with video]
• 08:45 Fire spotted near SoLS
• 08:50 Drone inspection of pad
• 08:51 OLS tank farm purging, especially on CH4 side
• 09:38 Satellite dishes raised
• 11:00 First crew arrived at Starbase following th launch
• 12:14 Usual road block reinstalled
• 23:20 Large drone with spotlight inspected CH4 side of tank farm and chopsticks cable

21 April

• 12:57-13:01 4 cars spotted at the launch site, likely coming from the beach, drove up hwy 4 to road block
• 13:09 Discussion at road block, several cars lining up
• 13:10 Two more cars passed the launch site from the beach towards the road block; one sheriff and one red SUV
• 14:02 Three cars, one of which is a tanker car passed road block towards launch pad
• 14:056 Arrived at western end, likely to fill up generators
• 14:07 Three more cars (one with a large trailer and a Ryder Van) heading donwn to launch site; they stopped at the eastern end near SoLS entrance (D1)
• 14:50-57 Crew 1 from Gate D3? returned to build site
• 22:00-24:00 Cleanup continued

22 April

• 09:30 20+ cars and excavation vehicles arrived at launch complex to continue cleanup efforts
• 13:25 Media bus with press arrived at launch site, streamers were able to pick up the cameras
• 14:02 Road opened for public

Stream

Valve had moisture in it, so it froze up. Hot exhaust from engines used for [???]. Teams learned a lot. Not many camera views expected after separation. Reduce complexity with hard water landing. Hold at T-40secs is possible for up to 15 minutes

[Stream timeline to be added]

Damage

Damage under OLM; LabPadre

Damage on water tanks, LabPadre, Zack Golden

Damage under OLM; Paul Breed / Beechtalk

Damage, LabPadre, VixXi

Damage; LabPadre, VixXi

Damage; LabPadre, VixXi

Damage; LabPadre, VixXi

Damage; LabPadre, VixXi

Damage; LabPadre, VixXi

Damage on Starhopper, LabPadre

The launch site experienced quite a lot of damage, keeping in mind that the rocket cleared the pad. Damage was caused by the debris that was flying around due to the thrust. The most significant damage seems to have resulted on the OLS tank farm vertical tank shells and the concrete pad under the OLM. As for the first, debris impacted on two of the pad facing vertical tanks and created huge dents. As for the OLM pad, image showed a huge hole under the OLM. Later, it was reported, that a 3.5-acre fire started south of the pad and debris was found on an area of 385 acres. However, no debris was documented on refuge-fee owned lands and no dead birds or wildlife was reported. For an assessment of the damage by Elon Musk, see the section above. On April 24, the chopsticks moved down the OLIT, causing relief in the community as it was a sign that the pulley, cable and the winch didn't seem to significantly damaged.

Several cameras were damaged, as well as a vehicle. On the OLM, the door was blown out as well as the door of the QD hood. At the SoLS, a fire was spotted after the launch. Some pannels of Starhopper were damaged. The roof of the storage building / restroom next to Starhopper was damaged. It was reported, that dust particles were falling in Port Isabel minutes after launch.

17 April 2023 - Scrubbed launch attempt - WDR

On April 17, 2023, SpaceX attempted to launch Starship 7/24. The whole countdown went very smooth, however, at 08:03, John Insprucker announced an pressurisazion issue on the first stage (booster) which they were working on. At 08:11, he announced that the launch director decided to scrub the launch attempt and do a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) instead with the countdown going to be stopped at T-10 seconds.

Announcements

08:11 Musk: "A pressurant valve appears to be frozen, so unless it starts operating soon, no launch today"

08:23 SpaceX: "Standing down from today’s flight test attempt; team is working towards next available opportunity"

08:29 Musk: "Learned a lot today, now offloading propellant, retrying in a few days …"

Countdown

Timeline according to different streams: Epic SpaceFlight, LabPadre, NSF

• 21:03 (-1) 33 Raptor engine gimbal test Mahlmann
• 23:59 (-1) Sheriff at launch site entrance; beach side cleared
• 00:03 Public asked to clear launch complex ahaed of road closure
• 00:09 Road closed at usual road block
• 00:45 Pad clearing under way
• 01:00 Only staff vehicles remained at pad
• 01:29 Staff vehicles moved away; one remained near old parking lot
• 02:27 OLS tank farm road side vent started; for a few minutes
• 02:58 Drones spotted
• 03:04-05 Chopsticks started to open
• 03:06 Chopsticks slightly lowered
• 03:08-13 Opened further
• 03:13-19 Chopsticks lowered further; around mid of ship
• 03:07 Another vehicle left launch site; sheriff still near old parking lot
• 03:31 Car left launch pad; sheriff at car park followed as well; pad seems cleared
• 03:32 CH4 tanks vent stack started venting
• 03:34 Cars at road block left; new block at San Martin Boulevard
• 03:37 OLS tank farm road side venting restarted
• 03:41 Venting increased, and stopped at 03:42
• 03:48 Loud vent
• 03:53 Satellite dishes lowered towards launch site
• 03:56 Sheriff left San Martin Boulevard block
• 04:12 CH4 side venting increased
• 04:21 Some more OLS tank farm road side venting
• 04:25 CH4 subcoolers started to get frosty (loading with LN2)
• 04:36 CH4 subcoolers half way frosty
• 04:42 Coast guard boats spotted heading out to secure keep out zone
• 04:43 Loudspeaker vent
• 04:58 LOX side venting started; especially towards berm/pad
• 05:05 LOX side venting increased a lot; also subcooler top venting
• 05:10 LOX subcoolers venting increased
• 05:18 OLM vent started
• 05:27 (approx.) OLIT vent (on QD arm hight)
• 05:36 OLM vent increased
• 05:55 OLM vent waterfall mode
• 06:00 Scheduled departure of NASA 927 WB57 plane for observation of launch; delayed to 06:10
• 06:05 CH4 vent stack stopped venting
• 06:07 WB-57 plane took off
• 06:07 CH4 vent stack restarted
• 06:41 New T-0 confirmed 8:20 "The Starship team is go for prop load. Now targeting 8:20 a.m. CT" twitter
• 06:02:55 CH4 subcoolers top vent started - prop loading
• 06:43:15 OLM Vent stopped
• 06:46 Booster prop loading started [Mission audio] twitter
• 06:48 Frost on B7 LOX tank appeared
• 06:53 B7 CH4 tank frost appeared
• 06:56 OLIT vent started
• 07:00 OLIT vent increased a lot
• 07:04 Sunrise
• 07:03 OLIT vent decreased a lot
• 07:04 LOX load started on ship [mission audio]
• 07:12 OLM double side vent
• 07:15 CH4 frost line on S24 started to appear
• 07:19 S24 engine chill vent started
• 07:20 B7 LOX ring about 7 rings high; 1 ring on ship; half ring on S24 CH4 tank
• 07:25 Engine chill vents lines stopped; only few puffs over next half an hour
• 07:33 B7 venting
• 07:35 SpaceX stream started
• 07:36 Large ship vent
• 07:37 Booster tanks look around halfway full
• 07:47 Booster LOX tank frost above chines
• 07:54 T-1hr45min go no go poll; T-1hr39min booster load started; T-1hr22min ship load started; Ship LOX load almost complete, will be streched and wrapped up at T-5min; T-3min will be Booster load; Winds looking good; range nearly good, one ship left [Insprucker]
• 07:56 Fuel header load started on ship
• 08:03 Insprucker: First stage pressurization issue, trying to solve it, if not able, WDR; T-27min-T-9min will be header tank load on ship (fuel and lox in nosecone); Ship tanks pretty much full; booster hold downs and QD are being prepared for launch configuration; 1 boat in safety parameter
• 08:11 Launch scrubbed (announced at T-9min) - T-10secs will be stop for clock as they still had an issue with pressurisazion; they will do a WDR instead; FTS won't be armed; regularly, T-40secs would be hold, which won't be used now; minimum of 48 hours for recycle
• 08:11 Musk: "A pressurant valve appears to be frozen, so unless it starts operating soon, no launch today"
• 08:15 B7 vent
• 08:19 Gimbaling test
• 08:17:45 CH4 and LOX side subcoolers spooled down; OLM vent started for a short time
• 08:20 Update: T-40secs hold
• 08:23 SpaceX: "Standing down from today’s flight test attempt; team is working towards next available opportunity"
• 08:28 FIREX test - likely T-10 secs
• 08:29 Musk: "Learned a lot today, now offloading propellant, retrying in a few days …"
• 08:30 S24 header tank vent; also several other vents; OLM vent puffs started again
• 08:31 Loudspeaker vent started
• 08:50 B7 Ch4 tank frost started to disappear as well
• 09:03 S24 CH4 tank frost started to disappear
• 10:14 Roadblock has moved back to usual position
• 12:37 Starship fully detanked
• 12:55 Chopsticks moved up and started to close in
• 13:21 SpaceX personnel to pad
• 14:02 Road opened

SpaceX live stream

New production facility in Bostrop, TX announced; hiring started.

SpaceX Launch Info

On 11 April, SpaceX released detailed information about the launch. They call it "Starship Flight Test" or "First integrated flight test of Starship".

Description

The first integrated flight test of Starship is trending towards the third week of April, pending regulatory approval.

This will be the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket, a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, help humanity return to the Moon, and travel to Mars and beyond. With a test such as this, success is measured by how much we can learn, which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX rapidly advances development of Starship.

To date, the SpaceX team has completed multiple sub-orbital flight tests of Starship’s upper stage from Starbase, successfully demonstrating an unprecedented approach to controlled flight. These flight tests helped validate the vehicle’s design, proving Starship can fly through the subsonic phase of entry before re-lighting its engines and flipping itself to a vertical configuration for landing.

In addition to the testing of Starship’s upper stage, the team has conducted numerous tests of the Super Heavy rocket, which include the increasingly complex static fires that led to a full-duration 31 Raptor engine test – the largest number of simultaneous rocket engine ignitions in history. The team has also constructed the world’s tallest rocket launch and catch tower. At 146 meters, or nearly 500 feet tall, the launch and catch tower is designed to support vehicle integration, launch, and catch of the Super Heavy rocket booster. For the first flight test, the team will not attempt a vertical landing of Starship or a catch of the Super Heavy booster.

A live webcast of the flight test will begin ~45 minutes before liftoff. As is the case with all developmental testing, this schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels for updates.

As we venture into new territory, we continue to appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have received from those who share our vision of a future where humanity is out exploring among the stars!

Countdown

All times approximate:

Hr/Min/Sec	Event
02:00:00	SpaceX Flight Director Conducts Poll and Verifies Go for Propellant Load
01:39:00	Booster LOX (Liquid Oxygen) Load Underway
01:39:00	Booster Fuel Load (Liquid Methane) Underway
01:22:00	Ship Fuel Load (Liquid Methane) Underway
01:17:00	Ship LOX Load Underway
00:16:40	Raptor Begins Engine Chill on Booster
00:00:40	Fluid Interfaces Begin their Ventdown Sequence
00:00:08	Raptor Startup Sequence Begins
00:00:00	Excitement Guaranteed

Mission Profile

Mission Profile of the first integrated flight test of Starship by SpaceX.

Flight Test Timeline (Best Case Scenario)

"Completion of the milestones below are not required for a successful test, but each milestone completed will certainly make for an exciting test. All times approximate."

Hr/Min/Sec	Event
00:00:55	Max Q (Moment of Peak Mechanical Stress on the Rocket)
00:02:49	Booster Main Engine Cutoff
00:02:52	Stage Separation
00:02:57	Starship Ignition
00:03:11	Booster Boostback Burn Startup
00:04:06	Booster Boostback Burn Shutdown
00:07:32	Booster is Transonic
00:07:40	Booster Landing Burn Startup
00:08:03	Booster Landing Burn Shutdown
00:09:20	Starship Engine Cutoff
01:17:21	Starship Entry
01:28:43	Starship is Transonic
01:30:00	Starship Splashdown

Timeline of Announcments and Updates

April 2023

19 April 2023

-FAA: April 22 added to list of potential launch dates

-VixXi: "Cryo fuel delivery update. Total deliveries since "Scrub" up to midnight 18 April.

• 53 x LN2
• 23 x LOX
• 4 x CH4"

-SpaceX, Lucid: "During the Starlink Group 6-2 launch, Jessie confirmed Starship could in fact have a second launch attempt as soon as tomorrow morning, but could likely scrub. (At T-5 minutes in the stream)"

-Flash: "neighborhood to evacuate again."

-LabPadre: Press members arrived at launch complex at 14:18

-SpaceX: "Teams continue working towards Thursday, April 20 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket"

18 April 2023

-TFRs for April 20 removed; for April 23–24 posted

-ATCSCC advisory: Primary: 04/21/23, Secondary 21–28

-TFR for April 20 restored

-NOTMAR, Baylor: New NOTMAR posted for April 20–28

-ATCSCC advidory: April 20 added back to list as primary launch date

-Cameron County: "SpaceX is targeting  Thursday, April 20th for the integrated flight test of Starship from Starbase in Cameron County, Texas. [...] Residents of Cameron County and those in the nearby area may hear a loud noise resulting from the rocket’s 33 Raptor engines firing upon ignition and as the vehicle launches toward space, but what people experience will depend on weather and other conditions."

-SpaceX: "SpaceX is targeting as soon as Thursday, April 20 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Starbase in Texas. The 62 minute launch window opens at 8:28 a.m. CT and closes at 9:30 a.m. CT."

-Musk: "The team is working around the clock on many issues. Maybe 4/20, maybe not."

17 April 2023

-NASA: WB57 plane 06:10-10:44 flight from Housten Texas, including flight path

-NASA: WB57 plane scheduled departure at 06:00

-ATCSCC advisory: new primary 19th, secondary on April 20–21

-TFRs for April 18–19 removed Space TFR

-SpaceX: "Teams are working towards Thursday, April 20 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket"

-SpaceX: "SpaceX has published the new official stream for launch, which will starts on <t:1681994700:f> in your local time.

The 62-minute window opens at 8:28 am, and closes at 9:30 am CT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1wcilQ58hI"

16 April 2023

-SpaceX: "Teams are completing final checkouts and reviews ahead of Starship’s first flight test attempt; weather is looking pretty good for tomorrow morning but we're keeping an eye on wind shear"

-Musk: "Launch attempt tomorrow"

-RGV: SpaceX issued media credentials

-SpaceX: "T-12 hours until the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket; targeting ~8:00 a.m. CT for liftoff"

15 April 2023

-TFRs for Brownsville TX updated:

• Fri, Mar 31, 7p CDT → Sat, Sep 30, 6:59p CDT: 10000 ft
• Mon, Apr 17, 7a → 10:05a CDT: unl
• Tue, Apr 18, 7a → 10:05a CDT: unl
• Wed, Apr 19, 8:28a → 10:05a CDT: unl
• Thu, Apr 20, 8:28a → 10:05a CDT: unl
• Fri, Apr 21, 7a → 10:05a CDT: unl

-Cameron County: Issued a nose advisory for the test, beginning at 7:00 CDT and spanning the entire 150 minute launch window: "SpaceX is targeting as soon as Monday, April 17 for the first integrated flight test of Starship from Starbase in Cameron County, Texas. The 150-minute test window opens at 7:00 a.m. CT.

Residents of Cameron County and those in the nearby area may hear a loud noise resulting from the rocket’s 33 Raptor engines firing upon ignition and as the vehicle launches toward space, but what people experience will depend on weather and other conditions.

SpaceX’s live webcast will go live approximately 45 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches. Live updates will also be available on SpaceX’s social media channels."

-Eric Garza: "Isla Blanca Park Temporary Operation Hours - Starship Launching: Effective tomorrow, Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., Isla Blanca County Park will be closed to all incoming visitors in preparation for the SpaceX Flight Activity scheduled for Monday, April 17, 2023."

14 April 2023

-TFR: Unlimited flight TFR posted for Monday and Tuesday; 12:00-15:05 UTC

-NOTMAR: "New Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB)/ Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) issued for possible Starship testing on 17 Apr 2023 during 5:25a.m.-11:10a.m." Visit Boca Chica

-FAA: Launch License Issued [see article: FAA Launch License]

-SpaceX: "Targeting as soon as Monday, April 17 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Starbase in Texas → spacex.com/launches"

-SpaceX: released mission patch

-Berger: "SpaceX says the Starship launch window will run from 7am to 9:30am local time (1200-1430 UTC) on Monday."

-SpaceX: Official stream for launch published: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5QXreqOrTA

-FAA: Programmatic Environmental Assessment amended (Written Reevaluation) for both vehicle's reentry plan [see: here, here; short summary by Alex:

• Ship flight plan includes a passive decent with the Ship in the belly flop position until impacting the Ocean north of Hawaii. The impact is expected to result in structural failure resulting in an explosive event.
• Second and Third flights of Starship will be with S26 and S27 (expected but now confirmed); not S25
• Super Heavy will be landing on the surface of the ocean. SpaceX will NOT recover it and will instead try to sink it in any way possible
• Ship 24 will have onboard flight recorders to be retrieved for data. This we kinda guessed from the hardware installed on its exterior but now it's confirmed.
• A lot went into figuring out the impact to marine life due to Ship 24's impact with the water
• As part of that study, they needed to study the way the transfer tube on Starship may be damaged due to sudden impacts. Something that they had previous experienced with SN10's hard landing
• As part of that study, they needed to study the way the transfer tube on Starship may be damaged due to sudden impacts. Something that they had previous experienced with SN10's hard landing
• This document covers the FireX system on the pad and it's supposed to be at least the first three flights. It doesn't mention the deluge system SpaceX is building so it makes me think this system may not debut until the fourth flight

13 April 2023

-NOTAM for Space: "NOTAM for space found for Mexico. Valid from 17 Apr 2023 to 22 Apr 2023 (Window of 5 days)"

-Road closures for April 17–19 updated to list them as closures for flight operations

-Residents informed to evacuate on Sunday

11 April 2023

SpaceX YouTube stream description as it briefly appeared. (c Oscar Sparrow)

-SpaceX: Launch stream for April 17 briefly appeared on YouTube

-SpaceX: "Teams are focused on launch readiness ahead of Starship’s first integrated flight test as soon as next week, pending regulatory approval – no launch rehearsal this week http://spacex.com/launches/"

-SpaceX: New info about telemtry, mission profile and timeline

-NOTAMs for Space: NOTAM for space for Mexico April 17–22

10 April 2023

-Musk: "Starship launch trending towards near the end of third week of April"

-FAA ATCSCC Advisory: Times added again, and extended to April 22; Primary: 04/17/23 1200Z-1505Z; Backup(s): 04/18-22/23 1200Z-1505Z

09 April 2023

-Musk: "Starship is ready for launch Awaiting regulatory approval"

-FAA ATCSCC Advisory: updated: Primary: 04/17/23, Time TBD; no backups yet

07 April 2023

-Navsafety NGA Mil: Hazard notices released for April 17–21; 1025Z-1610Z

06 April 2023

-SpaceX: "Starship fully stacked at Starbase. Team is working towards a launch rehearsal next week followed by Starship’s first integrated flight test ~week later pending regulatory approval"

-Musk: "Starship is stacked & ready to launch next week, pending regulatory approval"

-FAA ATCSCC Advisory: Now showing April 17 as launch date with backup on April 11–12 Romera; 1200Z-1505Z

05 April 2023

-NOTAM for space for Mexico from April 10–12 NOTAMS

-Insprucker: "Spending time now working on webcast rehearsals for first test flight of Starship."

S28 stacking likely aborted

04 April 2023

FAA ATCSCC advisory

-FAA most recent ATCSCC advisory indicates a possible OFT-1 of April 10 with backup launch dates of April 11 and 12

-Davenport: "For the SpaceX Starship launch attempt, 4/10 is possible, I’m told. The FAA safety evaluation is complete, the legal review is underway but there is an environmental issue to close out. That may or may not get resolved by Monday but it sounds like the license is almost there."

-Berger: "For what it’s worth SpaceX has told NASA it is targeting April 10, with backup days on April 11 and 12, for the Starship Orbital Flight Test. None of this is official without a launch license and the usual caveats apply. Who knew that wen hop applied to more than Easter bunnies?"

-FAA Spokesperson: April 10 date's appearance on the agency's ops plan advisory "should not be interpreted as an indicator that a determination to issue a license has been made or is forthcoming" for the SpaceX Super Heavy/Starship 7/24 orbital test flight. Stephen Clark

01 April 2023

OFT-1 trajectory based on marine notices, Marco Langbroek

-Langbroek: "Navigational Warnings have apeared for the inaugural (and strictly speaking: suborbital) launch of SpaceX's Starship. It will go into a ~26.5 deg inclined orbit with splashdown in the Pacific Missile Range, Hawaii, some 1.5 hrs later, just before completion of 1 revolution.", "26.36 degrees fits even better"

OFT-1 estimated trajectory (McDowell)

-Berger: "The last NET date I heard was April 10. So not this week, but they are getting rather close."

-Musk: "More than days away, but hopefully not many weeks away"

-McDowell: Estimated flight trajectory [see twitter for pictures]

March 2023

31 March 2023

-Coast Guard: Hazard zone marked by Research Buoys are being placed by SpaceX in the general area of B7s splash down zone (PDF, p. 49)

29 March 2023

-DutchSatellites: "The FAA is in the final stage of completing the launch license for Starship's Orbital Flight Test. SpaceX should have it in hand in under a fortnight."

-Davenport: "This tracks with what I’ve heard. Unless there’s an unforeseen problem, SpaceX should have the launch license for the Starship debut launch by April 14 or thereabouts. Then again, there always could be last-minute checks that cause delays."

16 March 2023

-Elon Musk: "SpaceX will be ready to launch Starship in a few weeks, then launch timing depends on FAA license approval. Assuming that takes a few weeks, first launch attempt will be near end of third week of April, aka …"

15 March 2023

-Jeff Foust cited SpaceX's Tom Ochinero: "so close" to launching Starship; waiting for FAA license so we can announce launch date.

08 March 2023

Elon Musk at a Morgan Stanley conference says again that Starship's first full-stack test launch from Texas will happen "hopefully in the next month or so, we'll have our first attempt." Adds "80 percent chance of reaching orbit this year" (Joey Roulette)