Introduction

SpaceX is on the brink of yet another monumental launch, with its mighty Starship megarocket ready to soar for its sixth test flight. The company’s iconic Starship upper stage is perched atop the Super Heavy booster at the Starbase launch facility in southern Texas, gearing up for a launch window set for tomorrow evening, November 19.

Launch Details

Scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT), this launch, dubbed Integrated Test Flight-6 (IFT-6), is no ordinary event. It marks the sixth outing of the Starship-Super Heavy system and the second attempt for SpaceX to capture the booster mid-air as it descends. In an impressive feat during last month’s IFT-5, SpaceX successfully utilized its launch tower's innovative "chopsticks" to catch the booster, setting a high bar for this upcoming flight.

Wet Dress Rehearsal

Just two days ago, on November 17, the Super Heavy-Starship stack underwent a critical "wet dress rehearsal," where engineers filled the rocket with super-chilled propellants and conducted essential pre-launch checks. “Propellant load test and preflight checkouts complete ahead of Starship's sixth flight test,” SpaceX confirmed via a post on X. Exciting photos from this rehearsal showcase the gleaming rocket, partially frosted from the frigid propellants, standing against the backdrop of the picturesque Gulf of Mexico.

Mission Profile and Objectives

As the mission unfolds, expect a flight profile similar to IFT-5. The Super Heavy booster will return to the launch site while the Starship ascends for deeper space exploration. Notably, IFT-6 introduces a critical new objective: reigniting one of Starship’s six Raptor engines after reaching space. This capability is vital for future missions beyond low Earth orbit, including those aimed at the Moon and Mars—a fact not lost on NASA, which is closely monitoring Starship’s development.

Collaboration with NASA

NASA has contracted SpaceX to create a specialized version of Starship dedicated to the Artemis 3 lunar mission, set to return astronauts to the Moon's surface. This mission is a centerpiece of NASA's ambitious Artemis program, now rescheduled for the latter half of 2026, following earlier delays. Any setbacks in Starship’s development could pose further challenges to Artemis, making tomorrow's flight crucial not just for SpaceX but for the future of space exploration.

Conclusion

Space enthusiasts won’t want to miss this launch! Catch the action live on SpaceX’s X account and on Space.com’s YouTube channel. What dramatic developments await in the skies? Stay tuned as SpaceX continues to challenge the boundaries of innovation!