SpaceXStarship V1Orbital Launch Pad 1, SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA
Integrated Flight Test
Launched
April 20, 2023 · 13:33 UTC
Image: SpaceX
Summary
Integrated Flight Test launched on a SpaceX Starship V1 from Orbital Launch Pad 1, SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA on April 20, 2023 at 13:33 UTC. The mission failed: After liftoff, the vehicle sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster, severing connection with the vehicle’s primary flight computer. This led to a loss of communications to most of the booster engines and eventually control of the vehicle. After the second stage failed to separate from the first stage, the vehicle reached an apogee of ~39km before tumbling downwards until the flight termination system was activated. Unexpected severe damage was also imparted on the launch pad. The launch window ran from 13:28 to 14:30 UTC. It was SpaceX's 239th launch and 26th this year. It was the 1st Starship V1 flight. Booster Booster 7 flew for the 1st time and was expended. The payload was bound for Suborbital (Sub). The spacecraft was Ship 24 (S24).
- Result
- After liftoff, the vehicle sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster, severing connection with the vehicle’s primary flight computer. This led to a loss of communications to most of the booster engines and eventually control of the vehicle. After the second stage failed to separate from the first stage, the vehicle reached an apogee of ~39km before tumbling downwards until the flight termination system was activated. Unexpected severe damage was also imparted on the launch pad.
- Watch
- Starship Flight TestSpaceX
- Vehicle
- Starship V1 · SpaceXSpaceX Starship
- Booster
- Booster 7 · flight 1 · expendable18/22 landed here
- Mission
- Test Flight · Suborbital (Sub)
- Milestone
- 1st Starship V1 flightSpaceX's 239th launch26th this year
Spacecraft
Ship 24 (S24)
Ship 24 (S24) used for the first integrated flight test. Lost in a launch failure.
- Destination: Pacific Ocean
- Mission length: under an hour
No landing attempt, launch failure.
Webcast
Flight preview
Simulate in Flight ClubAbout this launch
Maiden flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. The booster was supposed to separate 170 seconds into flight and return to land approximately 32 km off the shore in the Gulf of Mexico. The second stage would have followed a suborbital trajectory and performed an unpowered splashdown approximately 100 km off the northwest coast of Kauai (Hawaii). A launch failure was experienced before stage separation.
Pad
Orbital Launch Pad 1, SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA
1st launch from Orbital Launch Pad 1, 1st this year · 10th from SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA
Local pad time at liftoff: Apr 20, 8:33 AM CDT, in daylight
11 launches from this pad · 23 from SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA
under an hour after the previous launch from this pad
Updates
Launch failure
Show 9 earlier updates
Liftoff
Nosu · 4/20/2023 · source
Resuming countdown
Nosu · 4/20/2023 · source
Hold
Nosu · 4/20/2023 · source
Livestream has started
LL2 · 4/20/2023 · source
Confirmed next launch attempt on April 20.
Cosmic_Penguin · 4/17/2023 · source
Flight restriction for Wednesday has been cancelled, indicating a delay. Next possible window is Thursday, April 20th
Jay · 4/17/2023 · source
Adjusting window based on FAA advisory. Awaiting confirmation from SpaceX, and window end time is uncertain
Jay · 4/17/2023 · source
Next opportunity on April 19.
Nosu · 4/17/2023 · source
Scrub due to a first stage pressurization issue. Next opportunity 24 hours later.
Nosu · 4/17/2023 · source
Questions
When did Integrated Flight Test launch?
Integrated Flight Test launched on April 20, 2023 at 13:33 UTC. The launch window ran from 13:28 to 14:30 UTC.
Why did Integrated Flight Test fail?
After liftoff, the vehicle sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster, severing connection with the vehicle’s primary flight computer. This led to a loss of communications to most of the booster engines and eventually control of the vehicle. After the second stage failed to separate from the first stage, the vehicle reached an apogee of ~39km before tumbling downwards until the flight termination system was activated. Unexpected severe damage was also imparted on the launch pad.
Where can I watch Integrated Flight Test?
Coverage: Starship Flight Test. Watch the replay
What rocket launched Integrated Flight Test?
Starship V1, flown by SpaceX. Starship V1 spec sheet
Where did Integrated Flight Test launch from?
Orbital Launch Pad 1, SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA. Liftoff was Apr 20, 8:33 AM CDT local time at the pad.
Did the booster land?
Booster Booster 7 flew for the 1st time and was expended.
What orbit was Integrated Flight Test going to?
Suborbital (Sub), a test flight mission.
Which program is Integrated Flight Test part of?
SpaceX Starship. About SpaceX Starship